Episode 368
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Welcome back! This is the third episode in our 4-part series about going to the doctor.
So far, we practiced how to make an appointment and how to check in at the clinic. Today, we’ll continue with the next step: talking with the nurse.
Usually, before you see the doctor, a nurse will ask you a few questions about your health. The nurse may also take your temperature, check your blood pressure, and write notes for the doctor.
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Useful Vocabulary and Expressions
Here are some common questions and phrases you might hear from the nurse:
"What brings you in today?" (meaning: Why are you here?)
"How long have you had these symptoms?"
"Do you have any allergies?"
"Are you taking any medication?"
"Do you smoke or drink alcohol?"
"Please step on the scale." (to measure weight)
"I will take your blood pressure."
"Please roll up your sleeve."
And here are some answers you might use:
"I’ve had a cough for three days."
"I’m allergic to penicillin."
"I take vitamins every morning."
"I don’t smoke, but I drink coffee every day."
Realistic Examples
Example 1 – Routine Questions
Nurse: "Good morning. What brings you in today?"
Patient: "I’ve been feeling dizzy for a week."
Nurse: "Do you have any allergies?"
Patient: "Yes, I’m allergic to peanuts."
Example 2 – Taking Vitals
Nurse: "Please step on the scale."
Patient: "Sure."
Nurse: "Now, I will take your blood pressure. Please roll up your sleeve."
Patient: "Okay."
Example 3 – Symptoms
Nurse: "How long have you had this pain?"
Patient: "It started yesterday afternoon."
Nurse: "Does anything make it better or worse?"
Patient: "It gets worse when I eat."
Extra Vocabulary
Symptoms → the signs of illness you feel in your body (fever, cough, pain).
Medication → medicine prescribed by a doctor.
Allergies → reactions to things like food, pollen, or medicine.
Vitals → basic health measurements (temperature, blood pressure, pulse, weight).
Now, let’s practice.
GRAMMAR MADE EASY
POV Story: Grammar in Context
Notice how the verbs, pronouns, and time perspective change naturally.
First version
Past Tense - First Person
Hi, I’m Jake. Yesterday, I went to the clinic for my appointment and sat in the waiting room.
After a few minutes, the nurse called my name.
She asked me to follow her into a small room.
I sat down, and she asked me a few questions.
She asked what brought me in that day.
I said that I had a sore throat and a fever.
The nurse asked how long I had these symptoms.
I said that they started three days earlier.
She wrote everything down very carefully.
Then she asked if I had any allergies.
I said that I was allergic to penicillin.
She nodded and wrote that down too.
Next, she took my temperature and checked my blood pressure.
She said that my temperature was a little high, but my blood pressure was normal.
Before leaving the room, she smiled and said, "Try not to get worse while you wait."
I smiled politely and waited for the doctor.
Second version
Present Tense - Third Person Plural
They go to the clinic for their appointment and sit in the waiting room.
After a few minutes, the nurse calls their name.
She asks them to follow her into a small room.
They sit down, and she asks them a few questions.
She asks what brings them in that day.
They say that they have a sore throat and a fever.
The nurse asks how long they have these symptoms.
They say that they started three days earlier.
She writes everything down very carefully.
Then she asks if they have any allergies.
They say that they are allergic to penicillin.
She nods and writes that down too.
Next, she takes their temperature and checks their blood pressure.
She says that their temperature is a little high, but their blood pressure is normal.
Before leaving the room, she smiles and says, "Try not to get worse while you wait."
They smile politely and wait for the doctor.
Third version
Future Tense - Jake
Jake will go to the clinic for his appointment and will sit in the waiting room.
After a few minutes, the nurse will call his name.
She will ask him to follow her into a small room.
He will sit down, and she will ask him a few questions.
She will ask what brings him in that day.
He will say that he has a sore throat and a fever.
The nurse will ask how long he has had these symptoms.
He will say that they started three days earlier.
She will write everything down very carefully.
Then she will ask if he has any allergies.
He will say that he is allergic to penicillin.
She will nod and write that down too.
Next, she will take his temperature and check his blood pressure.
She will say that his temperature is a little high, but his blood pressure is normal.
Before leaving the room, she will smile and say, "Try not to get worse while you wait."
Jake will smile politely and wait for the doctor.
Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode.
Review
Vocabulary from This Episode
Review useful words and expressions before listening again.
01 symptom
a physical sign that may indicate an illness.
02 allergy
a harmful reaction to a substance.
03 medication
a drug used to treat or prevent illness.
04 blood pressure
the force of blood moving through the body.
05 step on the scale
stand on a device so your weight can be measured.
06 roll up your sleeve
move a sleeve upward to expose your arm.
07 sore throat
pain or irritation in the throat.
08 penicillin
an antibiotic used to treat some infections.
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