Phrasal verbs in history-taking

Phrasal verbs are often used in informal spoken English. Both patients and doctors may use them in consultations. A phrasal verb may have several meanings according to context.

Exercises:

1. Match the numbered questions (1 – 7) in B to the symptoms for the central nervous system (a – f). There are two questions for one of the symptoms.

a. headaches

b. hearing symptoms

c. faints

d. tingling (paraesthesiae)

e. fits

f. sleep patterns

2 . Read the extract from a consultation. In the numbered questions (1 – 4), is the doctor encouraging the patient to talk about her ideas (I), her concerns (C) or her expectations (E)? Look at C to help you.

Patient: I’m a bit concerned about my colic. I had a friend with something similar and it turned out to be more serious. It’s got me worried.

Doctor: (1) What do you mean by colic?

Patient: A pain in the stomach.

Doctor: (2) What do you think might have brought this on?

Patient: It just seemed to come on. I don’t know what it is.

Doctor: You said you were a bit worried because your friend had a similar problem. (3) What are your worries about this?

Patient: Yes, I had a friend. She turned out to have stomach cancer. She actually died in the end.

Doctor: (4) What were you hoping I could do for you today?

Patient: I just want to know that I don’t have anything too serious.

3 . Complete the sentences with phrasal verbs. Look at D to help you.

1. The headaches …………… ……………… in the morning.

2. However much I eat, I don’t seem to ………… …………… any weight.

3. I’ve tried to ………… …………….... smoking several times.

4. I’m so depressed I don’t feel I can ………………… ………………. .

5. He thought he had stomach ache but it ……………… …………….. to be cancer.

Lesson 4