OET Speaking Role-Play 36
Emergency Situation Topic: Severe Chest Pain Setting:
Emergency department Patient: Mr David Wilson, 55 years old
Background: • Presents with sudden chest pain and shortness of breath
Your Role: Healthcare professional
Tasks: • Introduce yourself and assess symptoms quickly
• Ask key questions (pain onset, severity, history)
• Reassure the patient
• Explain immediate actions being taken
OET Speaking Role-Play – Emergency Situation (NURSE)
Topic: Severe Chest Pain
Setting: Emergency Department
Patient: Mr David Wilson, 55 years old
Profession: Nurse
Introduction & Establishing Control
Nurse:
“Good afternoon, Mr Wilson. My name is Nurse Patel, and I’m one of the emergency nurses looking after you today. I can see you’re in a lot of discomfort, so I’m going to ask you some quick questions and start helping you straight away.”
Patient:
“Yes… I’m having very bad chest pain, and I can’t seem to catch my breath.”
Rapid Symptom Assessment
Nurse:
“I understand. Can you tell me exactly where the pain is?”
Patient:
“It’s right in the middle of my chest. It feels tight and heavy.”
Nurse:
“When did this pain start?”
Patient:
“About twenty minutes ago. It came on all of a sudden.”
Nurse:
“On a scale of zero to ten, where zero means no pain and ten means the worst pain you can imagine, how would you rate it right now?”
Patient:
“About an eight.”
Associated Symptoms (Focused Nursing Assessment)
Nurse:
“Is the pain spreading anywhere, such as your arm, neck, jaw, or back?”
Patient:
“Yes, it’s going down my left arm.”
Nurse:
“Are you feeling dizzy, nauseous, sweaty, or light-headed?”
Patient:
“Yes, I’m sweating a lot, and I feel a bit dizzy.”
Brief Medical History & Risk Factors
Nurse:
“Have you ever had chest pain like this before?”
Patient:
“No, never.”
Nurse:
“Do you have any medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart problems?”
Patient:
“I have high blood pressure.”
Nurse:
“Are you taking any regular medications?”
Patient:
“Yes, tablets for my blood pressure.”
Reassurance (A-Level, Appropriate to Nursing Role)
Nurse:
“Thank you for telling me all of that, Mr Wilson. I know this is very frightening, but you’re in a safe place, and we’re responding quickly.”
Patient:
“I’m really scared. Is something seriously wrong?”
Nurse:
“It’s understandable to feel scared. At the moment, your symptoms need urgent assessment, but we’re monitoring you closely and doing everything necessary to keep you stable.”
Explaining Immediate Nursing Actions
Nurse:
“I’m going to place you on a heart monitor so we can continuously watch your heart rhythm.”
“I’ll also check your blood pressure, oxygen levels, and pulse regularly.”
“We’ll perform an ECG shortly, and the doctor will review it straight away.”
“I’m going to give you oxygen to help with your breathing and medication as prescribed to ease the strain on your heart.”
Maintaining Communication & Control
Patient:
“Alright… please don’t leave me.”
Nurse:
“I’ll stay right here with you, and the team is close by. If the pain changes, gets worse, or you feel more short of breath, tell me immediately.”
Patient:
“Okay… thank you.”
Closing (Calm, Supportive)
Nurse:
“You’re doing very well, Mr Wilson. Try to take slow, steady breaths. We’re monitoring you closely and will keep you informed every step of the way.”
WITH A PANICKING PATIENT AND A MILD LANGUAGE BARIIER
Introduction & Immediate Control
Nurse:
“Hello, Mr Wilson. My name is Nurse Patel. I’m an emergency nurse. I’m here to help you. Please try to look at me and listen to my voice.”
Patient (panicking):
“I can’t breathe… my chest… it’s very bad… I think I’m dying!”
Nurse:
“I understand you’re very frightened. You are not alone. I’m right here with you. Try to take a slow breath with me.”
Calming the Patient (Before Assessment)
Patient:
“No, no… it hurts too much… something is very wrong!”
Nurse:
“I can see you’re in pain, Mr Wilson. We are taking this very seriously. Right now, I need to ask you a few short questions so we can help you quickly.”
(Uses slow, simple sentences and gentle tone.)
Rapid Symptom Assessment (Simplified Language)
Nurse:
“Where is the pain? Show me with your hand.”
Patient:
“Here… middle of chest… very tight.”
Nurse:
“Thank you. When did it start? Just now? Or earlier?”
Patient:
“About… twenty minutes… suddenly.”
Nurse:
“Okay. How bad is the pain?
Zero means no pain. Ten means very, very bad pain.”
Patient:
“Eight… maybe nine.”
Associated Symptoms (Clear & Focused)
Nurse:
“Does the pain move to your arm, neck, or jaw?”
Patient:
“Yes… left arm… shoulder.”
Nurse:
“Are you dizzy? Sick in your stomach? Sweating?”
Patient:
“Yes… sweating… head feels light.”
Medical History (Language Barrier Adjusted)
Nurse:
“Do you have high blood pressure, sugar problem, or heart problem?”
Patient:
“Yes… blood pressure.”
Nurse:
“Do you take medicine every day?”
Patient:
“Yes… tablet in morning.”
Strong Reassurance (Panicking Patient)
Patient:
“Please… don’t let me die… I’m very scared.”
Nurse:
“Mr Wilson, listen to me carefully. You came to the hospital quickly. That is very important. We are monitoring you closely, and help is already happening.”
(Maintains eye contact, steady voice.)
Explaining Immediate Actions (Very Clear & Simple)
Nurse:
“I am going to do a few things now.”
“I will put these stickers on your chest to check your heart.”
“This machine will watch your heart all the time.”
“I will give you oxygen to help your breathing.”
“The doctor is coming to see you very soon.”
Patient:
“Okay… okay…”
Maintaining Calm & Cooperation
Nurse:
“Please try not to move too much. Slow breaths. In through your nose… out through your mouth.”
Patient:
“Alright… I’ll try.”
Nurse:
“You are doing well. If the pain becomes worse, or you feel more short of breath, tell me immediately.”
Closing (Control + Compassion)
Patient:
“Thank you… I feel a little calmer now.”
Nurse:
“That’s good to hear. Stay with me. We’re watching you closely, and we’ll keep explaining everything step by step.”