OCCUPATIONAL ENGLISH TEST
WRITING SUB-TEST: NURSING
TIME ALLOWED: READING TIME: 5 MINUTES
WRITING TIME: 40 MINUTES
Read the case notes below and complete the writing task which follows.
Notes:
You are a ward nurse in the cardiac unit of Greenville Public Hospital. Your patient, Ms Martin, is due to be
discharged tomorrow.
Patient: Ms Margaret Helen Martin
Address: 23 Third Avenue, Greenville
Age: 81 years old (DOB: 25 July 1935)
Admission date: 15 July 2017
Social/family background:
Never married, no children
Lives in own house in Greenville
Financially independent
Three siblings (all unwell) and Äve nieces/nephews living in greater Greenville area
Contact with family intermittent
No longer drives
Has ‘meals on wheels’ (meal delivery service for elderly) – Mon-Fri (lunch and dinner), orders frozen
meals for weekends
Diagnosis: Coronary artery disease (CAD), angina
Treatment: Angioplasty (repeat – Ärst 2008)
Discharge date: 16 July 2017, pending cardiologist’s report
Medical information:
Coeliac disease
Angioplasty 2008
Anxious about health – tends to focus on health problems
Coronary artery disease aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix)
Hypertension metoprolol (Betaloc), ramipril (Tritace)
Hypercholesterolemia (8.3) atorvastatin (Lipitor)
Overweight (BMI 29.5)
Sedentary (orders groceries over phone to be delivered, neighbour walks dog)
Family history of coronary heart disease (mother, 2 of 3 brothers)
Hearing loss – wears hearing aid
Nursing management and progress during hospital stay:
Routine post-operative recovery
Tolerating light diet and Åuids
Bruising at catheter insertion site, no signs of infection/bleeding noted post-procedure
Pt anxious about return home, not sure whether she will cope
Discharge plan: Dietary
Low-calorie, high-protein, low-cholesterol, gluten-free diet (supervised by dietitian, referred by Dr)
Frequent small meals or snacks
Drink plenty of Åuids
Physiotherapy
Daily light exercise (e.g., 15-minute walk, exercise plan monitored by physiotherapist)
No heavy lifting for 12 weeks
Other
Monitor wound site for bruising or infection
Monitor adherence to medication regime
Arrange regular family visits to monitor progress
Anticipated needs of Pt:
Need home visits from community health/district nurse – monitor adherence to post-operative
medication, exercise, dietary regime
Regular monitoring by Dr, dietitian, physiotherapist
? Danger of social isolation (infrequent family support)
Writing Task:
Using the information in the case notes, write a letter to the Nurse-in-Charge of the District Nursing Service outlining Ms
Martin’s situation and anticipated needs following her return home tomorrow. Address the letter to Nurse-in-Charge, District
Nursing Service, Greenville Community Health Care Centre, 88 Highton Road, Greenville.
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.
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OCCUPATIONAL ENGLISH TEST
WRITING SUB-TEST: NURSING
SAMPLE RESPONSE: LETTER
Nurse-in-Charge
District Nursing Service
Greenville Community Health Care Centre
88 Highton Road
Greenville
15 July 2017
Re: Ms Margaret Helen Martin
DOB: 25 July 1935
23 Third Avenue, Greenville
Dear Nurse,
Ms Margaret Martin is due for discharge from our hospital tomorrow, after the successful performance of an
angioplasty today.
Ms Martin is 81 years old and has an established personal and family history of heart disease. In addition, she
suɈers from coeliac disease, and has reduced hearing, for which she wears a hearing aid.
Ms Martin is overweight (BMI 29.5) and sedentary. She is anxious about her return home and about her health
in general. She does not independently cook for herself and currently has meals delivered. Ms Martin may
need support for the implementation of a routine to maintain her remaining function and independence. Dietary
and physiotherapy programs have been devised and will be supported by her dietitian and physiotherapist.
Ms Martin has never married, is Änancially independent, and lives in her own home. Although she has a
number of family members living nearby, their support is irregular, and Ms Martin may be at risk of social
isolation. Your support in this regard would be appreciated.
Please arrange regular home nursing support for Ms Martin. She has some bruising at the catheter insertion
site that will need monitoring for infection or bleeding. It is important to ensure Ms Martin adheres to her
medication program.
Yours faithfully,
Ward Nurse
