Antibiotics
Antibiotics are strong medications that fight infections in the body. There are many classes of antibiotics and
they have different effects on bacteria. Some antibiotics weaken cell walls. Some block protein or DNA
synthesis. Antibiotics can kill bacteria or they can stop them from replicating or growing. Each antibiotic has
specific characteristics and they don't work against all types of bacteria.
It is important that patients know several things about antibiotics.
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Antibiotics don't work against viral infections such as colds and flu
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Antibiotics don't work against sore throats and coughs
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It is important to finish all of the medication even if you feel better
If a patient doesn't finish a prescription, it could be dangerous. Patients will usually feel better after 2-3 days.
However, the bacteria might not be completely gone. If a patient stops taking their medication, the bacteria
may grow, causing the patient to become sick again. Also, the bacteria might become resistant to the
antibiotic making it more difficult to fight.
Problems can occur with antibiotics. If the patient notices a rash, swelling or any other allergic reaction, they
should stop taking the medication and contact their physician immediately. Also, if the patient has problems
with nausea or vomiting, they should stop the medication at once and contact their doctor. A more tolerable
alternative might be available.
About a hospital
Nurse: Admission and the pharmacy are on the 1st floor. Cardiology is on the 4th floor and radiology is on
the 3rd floor.
Patient: What is radiology?
Nurse: Radiology is the place where the patients have X-rays taken. There is a waiting room on the 2nd floor
and there is a nurse's station on each floor. Do you have any other questions?
Patient: Yes. Where is the cafeteria?
Nurse: The cafeteria is on the 2nd floor. If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask.
Patient: Great. Thank you.
Nurse greeting
Nurse: Hello, Mr Riggs. I'm your nurse, Nurse Miller. Welcome to HE General Hospital. I'll be taking care of
you.
Patient: Nice to meet you, Nurse Miller.
Nurse: I'm going to take you to your room, now.
Patient: OK, great.
Nurse: Come with me.
Nurse
Nurses are healthcare professionals with a very wide range of duties, responsibilities, and specialities.
Nurses are responsible for the treatment, care and safety of patients. They are also responsible for
maintenance of health and education for the patient. Nurses provide direct care and monitor symptoms,
response, and progress in patient care.
Three main types of nurses are LPNs, RNs and APNs.
An LPN (licensed practical nurse) usually has less than 2 years of training. They perform simple and some
complex medical procedures. They work under other health care professionals to provide patient care.
An RN (registered nurse) has a university degree in nursing and often is responsible for supervising the
tasks of LPNs. RNs provide direct care, patient education and make decisions about proper patient care.
An APN (advanced practice nurse) has a masters or doctoral degree. They provide direct care, diagnose
disease, prescribe medication, work in research and educate patients and other healthcare professionals.
There are many specialities for APNs.
Nurses play a very important part of direct patient care and maintaining health in the community. The art of
nursing makes dramatic differences in patient outcomes and disease treatment.
patientroom_cloze
In the patient's room
Nurse: Now, Mr Riggs, do you have any questions?
Patient: Yes. What's this?
Nurse:That's the nurse call button. Use it to call a nurse.
Patient: Great.
Nurse: And, this remote control will adjust the bed. Just push these buttons to change the height.
Patient: Thank you very much.
pharmacist
Pharmacists are healthcare professionals who deal primarily with dispensing medications and managing
patient medication. The Pharmacist has many responsibilities. The pharmacist fills prescriptions from doctors.
He also counsels the patient about medications, side effects and how to use the medication correctly.
Another responsibility of the pharmacist is to monitor and manage patient medication profiles. Pharmacists
must check for drug interactions, proper prescribing and drug safety.
physicaltherapy
The Physical therapy department is much broader than just rehabilitation. Physical therapy treatment is
provided under the care of a physical therapist (also known as a physiotherapist). The physical therapist is
responsible for diagnosis, assessment and treatment of disease or disability. The conditions physical
therapists manage are musculoskeletal, cardio-pulmonary, integumentary and neurological conditions.
Rehabilitation spans all four of these categories. Treatment may involve patient education, physiotherapeutic
techniques and assisting devices.
- Muscoloskeletal physiotherapy uses a variety of techniques to treat heart and lung diseases such as
asthma, cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Integumentary physiotherapy deals primarily with treatment of the skin. This may include care of wounds,
bandages and scar reduction.
- Neurological physiotherapy uses exercise to help improve motor function.
Outside the hospital, physiotherapists work in daycare centres, schools, clinics, nusing care and
rehabilitation centres for athletic clubs.
radiology
Radiology is a medical speciality that uses images to diagnose disease. In the hospital the radiology
department is often one of the first places physicians turn to for diagnosis. Physicians that specialize in
radiology are called radiologists. Radiology is divided up into several fields.
Diagnostic radiology uses imaging to diagnose disease.
Interventional radiology uses imaging to guide procedures.
Radiation therapy uses radiation to treat diseases.
The radiology department provides many services in the hospital. Some include the following:
X-rays, which are used to evaluate bony structures and soft tissue.
CT scans, which use x-rays and computers to make 3-D images of soft tissues.
Ultrasounds are used to see soft tissue structures in real time, without dangerous radiation.
MRI scans, which give the best images of soft tissue structures, but patients must stay still for very long
periods.