OET Listening 13

Part A

Extract 1: Questions 1-12

You hear a primary-care doctor talking to a patient called Hayley Dove. For questions 1-12, complete the notes with a word or short phrase that you hear.

You now have thirty seconds to look at the notes.

Patient: Hayley Dove.

Background to condition:

• Endometriosis for many years following the birth of a son.
• Discomfort from episodes of bloating, (1) ______________________________________________ and fatigue.
• Developed (2) ___________________________________________ pain.
• Worsening condition affected her work as a (3) ___________________________________________.
• Diagnosis of (4) ______________________________________________________.
• Underwent (5) ___________________________________________________ and the procedure eliminated symptoms.
• Set up business as a (6) ___________________________________________.

Development of new symptoms and treatment:

• Began to experience fatigue again (Linked to work activities, e.g. online meetings and conferences) particularly noticeable after (7) ___________________________________________.
• (8) ___________________________________________ initially suspected.
• Blood tests led to eventual diagnosis of hemochromatosis.
• NB. (9) ___________________________________________ as an infant – but family history now established.
• Treated via venesection – initially weekly, now every three monthly.
• Has some (10) ______________________________ on the arms as a result.

Current Concerns:

• Now experiencing stiffness in joints – in both the fingers and (11) ________________________________.
• Tendency to become excessively (12) __________________________________.
• Occasional shortness of breath – not linked to exertion.

Extract 2 | Questions 13-24

You hear a physiotherapist talking to a patient called Marvin Chainey. For questions 13-24, complete the notes with a word or a short phrase that you hear. You now have thirty seconds to look at the notes.

Patient: Marvin Chainey.

Onset of symptoms.

• Contracted Covid-19.
• Wasn’t (13) ___________________________________________ (hospital admission).
• Flu-like symptoms (one week). Dry cough (persisted one month)

Post-Covid symptoms

• Ongoing lack of (14) ___________________________________________.
• Breathlessness after everyday tasks, e.g. carrying groceries.
• Insomnia leading to daytime fatigue.
• (15) ___________________________________________ on waking-persisted all day.
• Brain described as (16) ___________________________________________.
• Tendency to forget things, e.g. (17) ___________________________________________.
• (18) _________________________________________ accompanied by chest pain.

Diagnosis and treatment.

• ECG and heart monitor (five days).
• Diagnosis of (19) ________________________________________________ – beta blockers prescribed.
• Low levels of (20) _______________________________ identified – supplements prescribed.

Current concerns.

• Over-exertion or anxiety leads to recurrence of fatigue – accompanied with joint pain.
• Affects (21) ___________________________________________ and lower extremities.
• (22) __________________________________________ in fingers.
• Has practised (23) ___________________________________________ long-term – recently.
• Commenced tai-chi. Would like to resume gym attendance.
• Asks for advice on strength-building exercises.
• E.g. use of (24) _______________________________________ and light weights.

Part B

25. You hear a hospital nurse talking to a patient. The patient expresses a concern about:

1. Having to make use of a mobility aid.
2. Being expected to mobilise without assistance.
3. Feeling unsteady when attempting to mobilise.

26. You hear two community nurses conducting a patient handover.  The patient may need some guidance in how to deal with:

1. The regular medication that he needs to take.
2. Ongoing therapy related to his long-term health needs.
3. The sensitivity associated with a health condition he’s developed.

27. You hear the beginning of a training session for nurses about to start work on a pediatric ward. What is the focus of today’s session?

1. Comparing equipment used with patients of different ages.
2. Gaining an awareness of how some equipment is used.
3. Learning how best to organise some equipment.

28. You hear an occupational therapist briefing a trainee about a home visit. What is the priority for today’s visit?

1. Helping the patient to regain independence in everyday tasks.
2. Meeting a family member who has concerns about the patient.
3. Ensuring that a mechanical device is appropriate for the patient.

29. You hear a hospital pharmacist talking to a patient. The patient’s main concern about his medication is whether:

1. He’s been prescribed the most effective dose.
2. He’s likely to experience long-term side effects.
3. He’s been taking it at the most appropriate time.

30. You hear a primary-care doctor talking to a patient. The patient is worried that she may have:

1. Self-treated her toe in an inappropriate way.
2. Damaged a toe that she’d previously injured.
3. Triggered the resurgence of a health condition.

Part C

Extract 1 – Questions 31-36

You hear Dr. Pietro Everall giving a presentation on the subject of cholesterol.

You now have 90 seconds to read questions 31 -36.

31. Dr. Everall thinks misunderstandings about the role of cholesterol largely arise due to:

1. An imprecise use of the term in the media.
2. Inadequate explanations by health professionals.
3. A lack of focus on its positive influences in research studies.

32. Dr. Everall feels that using the words ‘good and “bad” to describe types of cholesterol:

1. May be a useful way of clarifying a key point for patients.
2. Could encourage patients to find out more about the science.
3. Might lead patients to underestimate the complexity of the subject.

33. Dr. Everall feels that some patients are reluctant to engage with the dangers of cholesterol because:

1. The standard investigations aren’t generally available to them.
2. They don’t realize which social groups are most likely to be affected.
3. No noticeable symptoms are associated with its gradual accumulation.

34. In terms of preventive medicine, Dr. Everall mentions research that suggests high levels of cholesterol may result from:

1. The existence of an inherited predisposition.
2. Lifestyle factors that aren’t usually associated with it.
3. A range of modifiable behaviours particular to one age group.

35. What does Dr. Everall say about the drug called ‘Inclisiran’?

1. Its use could lead to considerable cost savings.
2. Patients are likely to tolerate it better than existing options.
3. Further research is needed to establish its full range of possible uses.

36. What point does Dr. Everall make about the technology known as ‘gene silencing?

1. Claims made about its potential uses need to be treated with caution.
2. It works in a similar way to some other similar techniques.
3. Wrong assumptions may sometimes be made about it.

Part C2 – Questions 37-42

You hear an interview with a nurse called Lianne Haydock who is talking about the issues involved in caring for obese or ‘plus-size’ patients. You now have 90 seconds to read questions 37-42.

37. Lianne feels that in response to increasing numbers of plus-size patients, nurses should:

1. Take a lead in educating them about the risks.
2. Be proactive in investigating what lies behind the problem.
3. Remain focused on providing them with the best possible service.

38. What attitude towards plus-size patients does Lianne find unacceptable?

1. A belief that they’re somehow to blame for their weight.
2. A lack of interest in the medical reasons for their weight.
3. A tendency to assume they’ve been trying to lose weight.

39. Lianne suggests adopting an approach to caring for patients that:

1. Makes special provision for those defined as plus-size.
2. Is able to accommodate the needs of people of all sizes.
3. Involves a reassessment of what represents a typical size.

40. Lianne says the greatest problem with specialized equipment for plus-sized patients is often that:

1. A limited range is available for hospitals to choose from.
2. Hospitals lack the resources to invest in the quantities needed.
3. The physical layout of hospitals can’t accommodate them easily.

41. How does Lianne respond to the question about the safety issues presented by plus-size patients?

1. She accepts that training in this area needs to be improved.
2. She outlines some principles to apply to minimize any issues.
3. She makes a case for increased levels of support for nursing staff.

42. When asked about the human dimension of caring for plus-size patients, Lianne underlines the value of:

1. Involving patients in decisions about their everyday care.
2. Ensuring that patients appreciate any concerns staff may have.
3. Respecting the patient’s wishes about how their size is referred to.

End of Listening 13. Answers will be discussed privately.