OET Case notes

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:

You are a community nurse at Blanchfield Community Centre, Wakefield, you are providing
daily dressings for Ms Brice.

PATIENT DETAILS

Name: Joanna Brice

Age: 29

Marital status: Divorced 2 months ago One son (8 years old)

Social background:
• Accountant - has not yet returned to work
• Marital issues
• Recently very stressed with her husband since he lost his job
• Son's school performance has declined seriously

Family history:
• Father died of lung cancer- 6 months ago

Medical history:
• Regular physical examination to GP at start of April - lump in L breast found
• Patient had no symptoms of breast cancer
• Operation (mastectomy) Date: 22. 04. 2020
• Early stage of L breast cancer
• L Mastectomy
• Mastectomy without lymphadenectomy
• Discharged date from hospital into community care- 30. 04. 2020

Medications:
• Paracetamol (Panadol) 500mg p.r.n.

Community nursing care:

1/5/2020
• Community nurse attended home to do breast dressings. Nil concerns with wound.
• Pt - very sad about her cancer, low in mood

© 2023 Swoosh English

 OET Case notes

2/5/2020
• Pt almost silent during visit. Appears very withdrawn. Has not made any attempts to
have friends or family around to visit. Does not want to see anyone.
• Lost appetite, weight 56 kg Ht 160cm.
• Dressing changed - nil signs of infection
• Sleeplessness (Estazolam OD before sleep)

3/5/2020
• Pt reports discomfort when urinating. Urine drip done. Positive UTI. GP prescribed ABX.
• Dehydration. Encouraged pt to hydrate. Take ABX 5/7. Review on completion.
• Dressing changed, no issues.
• More verbal today
• Suggested counselling - pt refused

4/5/2020
• Outbursts of temper - broke down in tears during dressing change
• Uncontrollable crying.
• Agreed to speak with a specialist.

Writing task:

Using the information given in the case notes, write a letter to the local psychological
counselling centre to make a referral for the patient to assess and monitor her emotional state.
Write to Dr Danielle Smith, Blanchfield Psychology Centre, Wakefield.

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.

© 2023 Swoosh English