NURSAMPLE04

WRITING SUB-TEST – TEST BOOKLET

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
You must write your answer for the Writing sub-test in the Writing Answer Booklet.

You must NOT remove OET material from the test room.

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© Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment – ABN 51 988 559 414 (2020)
Occupational English Test

WRITING SUB-TEST: NURSING

TIME ALLOWED: READING TIME: 5 MINUTES
WRITING TIME: 40 MINUTES

Read the case notes and complete the writing task which follows.

Notes:

Assume that today's date is 30 August 2019.

You are a nurse at a boarding school. Jake Peterson is a male student at your school and has come to you
complaining of hair loss and associated depression.

PATIENT DETAILS:
Name: Jake Peterson
DOB: 17 Mar 2001 (18 y.o.)
Address: School: Holly House School, Brenkridge

Social background:
Student at boarding school for past 8 yrs
Parents work & live abroad
Father (male-pattern baldness – onset in 50s)
Mother (depression – onset in 40s)
Non-smoker; 20 units alcohol/wk
Karate black belt; champion swimmer

Presenting complaint:
Alopecia – hair loss from 13 y.o.; intermittent cycles (loss and regrowth); aetiology not confirmed –
various possibilities
?Depression

TREATMENT SUMMARY:

Mar 2014 School clinic – presented with hair loss in patches; anxiety
?onset – school bullying incident, Pt said ‘not a major thing’
Referral to trichology specialist

May 2014 Trichologist: no aetiology established; possibly exacerbated by stress

Prescribed steroid cream (betamethasone dipropionate 0.05% cream 1-2x/day for
3mths)
Personality changes, aggression + sleep loss
Medication discontinued

2014 - 2018 No further hair loss; intermittent hair regrowth

Dec 2018 Return of anxiety and pronounced hair loss
General health check – Ô6kg over last 2mths
Recommended to see doctor re hair loss, anxiety, weight loss. Student reluctant, asked
about natural remedies, e.g. homeopathy. Discussion re efficacy, student still keen to try

Feb 2019 No results + cost implications of homeopathic treatment (kalium carbonicum and silicea)Ò
student Ódistress and low mood
Problems forming/maintaining peer relationships
Affecting sports participation

Mar 2019 Referred to school counsellor – did not attend

May 2019 Check-up: Ó alcohol consumption, min 28 units/wk

June - July 2019

Exam time – extreme anxiety (necessary to arrange separate exam room) – Óhair loss

30 Aug 2019 Student concerned about transition to university shortly and independent living
Letter to university medical practice:
• monitor
• organise special exam arrangements

Writing Task:

Using the information given in the case notes, write a letter to Mrs Kullan, a university practice nurse. In your letter,
briefly outline Jake Peterson’s history and your concerns. Address your letter to Monica Kullan, Senior Nurse
Practitioner, University of Marchbank Health Centre, Hillsdunne Rd, Marchbank.
In your answer:
●● Expand the relevant notes into complete sentences
●● Do not use note form
●● Use letter format
The body of the letter should be approximately 180–200 words.
Any answers recorded here will not be marked.

N K
L A
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 NURSAMPLE04
Occupational English Test

WRITING SUB-TEST: NURSING

SAMPLE RESPONSE: LETTER

Monica Kullan
Senior Nurse Practitioner
University of Marchbank Health Centre
Hillsdunne Rd
Marchbank

30 August 2019

Dear Mrs Kullan

Re: Jake Peterson

DOB: 17.03.2001

I am writing to introduce Mr Jake Peterson, an 18-year-old student at this school who is about to start studying at
Marchbank University. Jake presents with hair loss and associated depression and anxiety.

Jake first presented with hair loss when he was 13. He was referred to a trichology specialist who was unable
to determine a specific aetiology. He was prescribed steroid cream but after experiencing personality changes,
aggression and sleep loss, he was taken off the medication. His condition then stabilised for approximately 4 years,
with no further hair loss and some regrowth. In the last year, hair loss has returned, and over two months, Jake’s
weight has reduced by 6kg. He started taking homeopathic remedies (kalium carbonicum and silicea), but became
upset when there was no improvement. He was referred to a counsellor but failed to attend the appointment.

Over the recent school exam period, Jake suffered extreme anxiety, and a worsening of his hair loss. His alcohol
consumption has increased to 28 units per week.

Jake is anxious about his transition to university and about living independently. I would greatly appreciate it if you
could monitor his condition and ensure special exam arrangements are made.

Yours sincerely

Nurse