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ROLEPLAYER CARD NO. 47 (NURSING)
SETTING: General Practice
Patient
You are a 35-year-old teacher, who has chronic back pain due to a herniated disc. You are scheduled for an MRI next week. You have seen the doctor and are discussing your treatment and preoperative documents with the nurse.
Tasks
- Explain to the nurse that you are concerned about the MRI and the potential results.
- Express your frustration about the persistent pain and its impact on your daily activities and work.
- Ask for clarification on the MRI procedure and how to prepare for it.
- Mention that you have read about alternative therapies and inquire if they could be beneficial.
- Reassure the nurse that you will follow the doctor/nursing staff’s advice and adhere to the recommended treatment plan.
CANDIDATE CARD NO. 47 (NURSING)
Setting: General Practice
Nurse
You are preparing a 35-year-old teacher for an MRI scheduled next week. The patient has chronic back pain due to a herniated disc. You are discussing treatment and preoperative documents, following the doctor’s appointment.
Tasks
- Acknowledge the patient’s concerns about the MRI and potential results. (Use phrases like “I understand that you’re worried about the MRI…”)
- Reassure the patient that MRIs are a common and safe procedure, explaining what it involves. (Provide a brief overview of the MRI process, duration, and what the patient should expect).
- Express empathy regarding the impact of chronic pain on daily activities and work (Use phrases like “It’s understandable that persistent pain can be very challenging…”).
- Provide information on how to prepare for the MRI (e.g., avoiding certain foods, wearing comfortable clothing; Mention specific preparatory steps and why they are important).
- Discuss potential benefits and limitations of alternative therapies. (Provide balanced information, and emphasize the importance of discussing these options with the doctor).
- Reassure the patient that the medical team is there to support them through their treatment journey. (Teamwork and ongoing support from the medical staff).
Prepare for the Role Play (Learn the Sample below)
Nurse: Good morning, I’m Nurse Smith. How are you feeling today?
Patient: Good morning, Nurse. I’ve been better, to be honest. The pain is quite persistent.
Nurse: I’m sorry to hear that. I understand you’re scheduled for an MRI next week. How are you feeling about that?
Patient: I’m quite anxious about it. I’m worried about what the results might show.
Nurse: It’s perfectly normal to feel anxious before a procedure like this. MRIs can provide very valuable information to help us understand what’s causing your pain.
Patient: That makes sense, but I’m still a bit scared.
Nurse: Let me explain a bit about the MRI process. It’s a non-invasive test that uses magnetic fields to create detailed images of your spine. The procedure itself is painless and usually takes about 30 to 60 minutes.
Patient: Will I need to do anything special to prepare for it?
Nurse: Yes, there are a few things. You should avoid eating heavy meals before the scan and wear loose, comfortable clothing. Also, you’ll need to remove any metal objects like jewelry before the scan.
Patient: Okay, that sounds manageable.
Nurse: Can you tell me more about how your back pain has been affecting your daily activities?
Patient: It’s been tough. I find it hard to stand for long periods, which makes teaching difficult. Even sitting for too long is uncomfortable.
Nurse: That sounds very challenging. Chronic pain can significantly impact quality of life, especially in a demanding job like teaching.
Patient: Yes, it’s been affecting my work a lot.
Patient: I’ve been reading about some alternative therapies. Do you think they could help me?
Nurse: Alternative therapies, such as physical therapy, acupuncture, or chiropractic care, can be beneficial for some patients. It’s important to discuss these options with your doctor to see what might be appropriate for your specific condition.
Patient: I’ve been taking over-the-counter painkillers, but they don’t always work.
Nurse: It’s important to use pain medication appropriately. If over-the-counter options aren’t effective, your doctor might prescribe something stronger. Have you discussed this with your doctor?
Patient: Not yet. I wanted to see if I could manage on my own.
Nurse: It’s always best to follow the advice of your healthcare provider. They can recommend the most effective treatment plan for you.
Patient: I understand. I’ll bring it up at my next appointment.
Nurse: After the MRI, we’ll have more information, and we can adjust your treatment plan accordingly. It’s important to stay in touch with your doctor and follow any new recommendations.
Patient: What can I expect after the MRI?
Nurse: You might need to wait a few days for the results. Once we have them, your doctor will go over them with you and discuss the next steps.
Patient: I hope it provides some answers.
Nurse: I’m confident it will help us get a clearer picture of what’s going on. Remember, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Patient: That’s reassuring to hear.
Nurse: You’re doing the right thing by getting this MRI. It’s an important step towards finding relief and getting back to your normal activities.
Patient: Thank you. I really hope it helps.
Nurse: In the meantime, it’s important to take care of yourself. Rest when you need to, and try to avoid activities that worsen the pain.
Patient: I’ve been trying to do that, but it’s hard with my job.
Nurse: I understand. It might be worth discussing with your employer about temporary adjustments to your workload or schedule to help manage the pain better.
Patient: That’s a good idea. I’ll consider that.
Nurse: So, to summarize, you’ll have your MRI next week, prepare as we discussed, and we’ll review the results with your doctor to determine the best course of action. In the meantime, continue to manage your pain and take care of yourself.
Patient: Yes, I’ll do that. Thank you for explaining everything.
Nurse: You’re welcome. Remember, we’re here to help you. If you have any more questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Patient: I appreciate that. I’ll keep in touch.
Nurse: Take care, and good luck with the MRI. We’re looking forward to helping you feel better.
Patient: Thank you, Nurse. I feel a bit more at ease now.
