OET Beginner

SAMPLE Question: LETTER OF REFERRAL

Occupational English Test

WRITING SUB-TEST: NURSING

TIME ALLOWED:
READING TIME: 5 MINUTES
WRITING TIME: 40 MINUTES

Instructions

Read the case notes and complete the writing task which follows.

Notes:
You are a nurse conducting a Nurse Home Visit as part of routine follow-up care after this patient’s recent hospital discharge.

PATIENT DETAILS:
Name: Mr. Peter Johnson
DOB: 15 Dec 1945 (Age 77)
Address: 23 Elm Street, Newburgh
Social background: Retired engineer
Lives with wife
Two children, live out of state

Medical history:

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Osteoarthritis
• Anxiety disorder

Lifestyle:

• Non-smoker
• Drinks socially
• Exercises moderately

Current Medications:

• Salmeterol (Serevent)
• Paroxetine (Paxil)
• Ibuprofen

Hospital Treatment Record:

Date: 12 Sep 2023

• Admitted for exacerbation of COPD
• Managed with steroids and bronchodilators
• Discharged on 16 Sep 2023

Nurse Home Visit – 20 Sep 2023:

• Reports ongoing shortness of breath
• Anxiety seems increased
• Some difficulties with mobility due to osteoarthritis

Writing Task:

Using the information in the case notes, write a letter of referral to the Emergency Department Consultant on Duty, outlining the case and requesting urgent assessment and management for COPD exacerbation. Address the letter to Emergency Department Consultant on Duty, Newburgh General Hospital, 400 Health Avenue, Newburgh.

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.

SAMPLE RESPONSE: LETTER OF REFERRAL

Emergency Department Consultant on Duty

Newburgh General Hospital
400 Health Avenue
Newburgh
20 September 2023

Dear Doctor,

Re: Mr. Peter Johnson, DOB 15.12.1945

I am writing to refer Mr. Johnson, a 77-year-old retired engineer, for urgent evaluation and treatment of a suspected COPD exacerbation. He was discharged on the 16th of September after being treated for a COPD flare-up. During today’s Nurse Home Visit, Mr. Johnson reported ongoing symptoms of shortness of breath and appears to have increased levels of anxiety.

In addition to COPD, Mr. Johnson has a history of osteoarthritis and an anxiety disorder. His current medications include Salmeterol, Paroxetine, and Ibuprofen. He is a non-smoker and exercises moderately, but it seems that his mobility has been affected recently due to his osteoarthritis.

Mr. Johnson lives with his wife, and both of his children reside out of state. The family has expressed concerns about his condition, particularly the exacerbation of COPD symptoms and increased anxiety levels.

Given the persistence of his symptoms and complexities of his medical history, I strongly recommend that Mr. Johnson be urgently assessed and managed for a potential exacerbation of his COPD, along with evaluation for increased anxiety and mobility issues.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Name]
Registered Nurse