CASE NOTE 3
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 surgical unit of Greenville Public Hospital. Your
patient, Ms Alice Cooper due to be discharged tomorrow.
Patient: Ms Alice Cooper
Age: 82, DOB: 18 March 1934
Address: 23 Park Avenue, Blanchers down St,NSW
Admission date: 15 January 2021
Social/family background:
Never married, no children
Lives in own house in Park Avenue
Financially independent
2 siblings (all unwell) Contact with family intermittent
Has ‘meals on wheels’ (meal delivery service for elderly) – Mon-Fri
Diagnosis: intestinal obstruction post laparotomy
Treatment: drain removed on 18 January 2021 noted 25 ml free fluid
Dressing changed, no oozing or signs of infection
Discharge date 26 January 2021, pending pathology report
Medical information:
Coeliac disease
Angioplasty 2008
Coronary artery disease aspirin once daily, clopidogrel once daily
Hypertension metoprolol (Betaloc, Hypercholesterolemia (7.2) atorvastatin 20
mg nocte
Overweight (BMI 31.5)
Sedentary
Artificial dentures present
Family history of coronary heart disease (mother died due to MI)
Anxious about health tends to focus on health problems
Nursing management and progress during stay:
Routine post-operative recovery
Tolerating light diet and fluids
no signs of infection or bleeding noted post procedure
Pt anxious about return home
Discharge plan:
DIETARY
Low-calorie, high-protein, low-cholesterol, gluten-free diet (supervised
by dietician,
Frequent small meals, snacks, fluid
PHYSIOTHERAPY
Daily light exercise, 10 min walk,
No heavy lifting, for 6 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: assistance in showering and toilet
Need home visit monitor adherence to post-op meds, exercise, diet
regime
Regular monitoring by dietician
WRITING TASK
Using the information given in the case notes, write a letter to skilled
care facility Blancher down outlining Ms Cooper’s situation and
anticipated needs following her return home tomorrow. Address the
letter to Director skilled care centre, Blancher down, NSW
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
