Occupational English Test – Writing (Nursing)
Read the case notes below and complete the writing task which follows.
Notes:
You are a nurse at a boarding school. Jake Peterson is a final year student at your school and has come to you complaining of hair loss and associated depression. He has his final year exams starting shortly.
Patient Details:
- Name: Jake Peterson.
- DOB: 17.03.2006.
- Address: Holy House School, Brenkridge.
Social background:
- Student at boarding school for the past 8 yrs.
- Parents work & live abroad.
- Father (male-pattern baldness-onset in 50s).
- Mother (depression-onset in 40s).
- Non-smoker, 20 units alcohol/week.
- Karate black belt champion; swimmer.
Presenting complaint:
- Alopecia-hair loss from 13 years of age.
- Intermittent cycles (loss and regrowth).
- Aetiology not confirmed (various possibilities. ?Depression)
Treatment Summary
August 2019
- School clinic – presented with hair loss in patches.
- Anxiety.
- Onset: School bullying incident.
- Pt. said ‘not a major thing.
- Referral to trichology specialist.
October, 2019
- Trichologist: No aetiology established, possibly exacerbated by stress.
- Prescribed steroid cream (betamethasone dipropionate 0.05% cream 1-2x/day for 3 months)
- Personality changes, aggression, sleep loss.
- Medication discontinued.
2019 – 2022
- No further hair loss; intermittent hair regrowth.
July, 2023
- Return of anxiety and pronounced hair loss.
- General health check ↑6 kg over last 2 months.
- Recommended Dr consultation Re hair loss, anxiety, weight loss.
- Reluctant. Sought natural remedies (homeopathy).
- Efficacy suspected yet keen to try.
December, 2023
- Reports no results + cost implications of homeopathic treatment (kalium carbonicum and silicea) → Jake distressed, low mood.
- Problems forming/maintaining peer relationships.
- Affecting sports participation.
January, 2024
- Referred to by the school counsellor. Did not attend.
12 March, 2024
- Check-up: + alcohol consumption, min 28 units/wk
2024 March End – April Mid.
- Exam time. Extreme anxiety (arranged separate exam room).
March 23, 2024
- Jake is concerned about transition to university shortly and independent living.
- Says he will need special exam arrangements in the University too.
Plan
- Letter to university medical practice.
- Monitor symptoms and prognosis.
- Advise patients about baldness.
- Make the patient think it is normal to be bald.
- No need to cover. Expose him to celebrities who are bald. Eventually, put the thought of wigs out of his mind.
- Alternatively, seek advice from his parents about hair-transplantation.
Writing Task
Using the information given in the case notes, write a letter to Mrs Monica Hendrik, a university practice nurse. In your letter, briefly outline Jake Peterson’s history and your concerns. Address your letter to Mrs Hendrik, Senior Nurse Practitioner, University of March Bank Health Centre, Hills Dune Rd, March Bank.
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
