Explaining a procedure and gaining informed consent.

In this lesson you are preparing a patient for a procedure (for example, imaging, an endoscopy, or a bedside test). The patient is nervous and has searched online, so they have questions and worries. Your task is to explain what will happen, what the patient might feel, and what the key risks and benefits are, using plain English. You will practise step-by-step instructions with polite, clear language, plus small reassurance phrases that sound genuine rather than automatic. You will also learn how to check understanding and consent naturally, including how to pause, invite questions, and confirm that the patient agrees before you continue. A key safety point is clarity around preparation: fasting, clothing, jewellery, positioning and breathing instructions. You finish by confirming the plan and what the patient should do if they feel unwell or want to stop during the procedure.

1. Setting the scene: a nervous patient before a CT scan.

Today you’re in the imaging department, preparing a patient for a CT scan with contrast. The patient is nervous, and they’ve read some alarming things online. Your job is to sound calm, human and precise, while still being clear about safety. In this lesson we’ll practise three things at the same time: structure, plain English, and consent. Structure means you guide the patient step by step, so they always know what’s coming next. Plain English means you avoid technical words unless you explain them. Consent means you check understanding, invite questions, and confirm that the patient agrees before you continue. In a moment you’ll listen to a short model conversation. As you listen, don’t try to memorise every sentence. Instead, notice how the clinician: introduces what will happen, reassures without overpromising, and uses checking questions like “Does that make sense so far?” and “Are you happy for us to go ahead?”. After the audio, you’ll write a few key lines you would say to open the interaction safely.

Today’s clinical moment.

You are preparing a patient for a CT scan with contrast. The scan itself is quick, but the communication matters. A nervous patient who has searched online often needs two things:

1. a clear map of what will happen (so it feels predictable), and
2. permission to ask questions (so they don’t stay silent and anxious).

Your overall aim is: explain, check, and confirm.

Model language you can rely on.

Here are high-value phrases for this situation (we’ll recycle them all lesson):

• Signposting / structure: “I’m going to explain what will happen step by step.”
• Purpose: “The aim of this test is to…”
• Comfort & control: “If anything is too uncomfortable, tell me straight away.”
• Safety checks: “Before we start, I need to check a few safety questions.”
• Understanding: “Does that make sense so far?”
• Questions: “What questions do you have at this point?”
• Consent: “Are you happy for us to go ahead?”

Notice the tone: calm, normal, not dramatic.

Mini checklist: a safe opening.

A strong opening usually includes:

1. Greeting + role
2. What the appointment is for
3. What will happen (in 2–3 simple steps)
4. Safety checks are routine
5. Invitation to ask questions

Your turn (in this block).

After you listen, you’ll write 2–4 sentences you would say at the start to a nervous patient. Keep it patient-friendly, and keep it moving forward.

Practice & Feedback

Listen to the short model conversation. Then write what you would say to open the appointment.

Write 2–4 sentences as the clinician, speaking to the patient before the scan starts. Include:

• a warm greeting and your role,
• one sentence that explains the purpose (in plain English),
• one signposting sentence (step by step),
• one checking question (for example, Does that make sense so far?).

Keep the same situation: CT scan with contrast and a nervous patient who has read things online. Aim for calm, professional language.

2. Preparation and safety checks: fasting, jewellery, allergies.

Now we’ll zoom in on a key safety point: preparation and checks. In real life, this is where mistakes happen, because it can feel routine. But for the patient, it’s often the most stressful part, especially if they have read scary things online. For a CT with contrast, you typically need to check allergies, previous reactions to contrast, kidney problems if relevant in your setting, and also practical preparation: when they last ate or drank, whether they can remove jewellery, and what to do with valuables. You also need to give clear, simple instructions, not vague ones. Listen to how direct but polite language works well here: “Could you remove any jewellery from your neck and chest?” is clearer than “You might want to take off metal.” And when you ask about allergies, it helps to be specific: “Do you have any allergies that you know of? What reaction do you get?” In the activity, you’ll practise writing your own safety-check questions in a calm, non-alarming way.

Why this part matters.

Preparation instructions are not just ‘admin’. They are patient safety. If you’re clear and structured, the patient feels safer and you reduce risk.

A nervous patient also needs to hear that checks are routine:

> “We do these checks for everyone, for safety.”

Patient-friendly preparation language (CT with contrast).

Instead of long explanations, use short steps.

Fasting / eating and drinking

• “Have you had anything to eat or drink today?”
• “When was the last time you ate?”
• “A few sips of water are usually OK, but I’ll confirm the rule for your scan.”

Clothing / jewellery / metal

• “Could you remove any jewellery, please? For example, a necklace, earrings, or piercings.”
• “You can keep your underwear on, but we may ask you to change into a gown.”
• “Do you have any metal on you today, like a belt buckle or a watch?”

Allergies and previous reactions

• “Do you have any allergies that you know of?”
• “Have you ever had a reaction to contrast dye before?”
• “What happened exactly? Was it a rash, swelling, or difficulty breathing?”

Softening without sounding uncertain.

You can be polite and still clear:

• “Could I just check…”
• “Before we start, I need to check…”
• “Just to confirm…”

Micro-skill: one question at a time.

When patients are anxious, multiple questions in one sentence can confuse them. Prefer:

> “Any allergies?” … then pause.

> “And when did you last eat?” … then pause.

Your practice task.

You will read a short patient note and write the exact questions you would ask next, in a safe order.

Practice & Feedback

Read the patient information below. Then write 6 short questions you would ask before the CT scan.

Rules:

• Ask one thing at a time.
• Use calm, routine language.
• Include at least: allergies + reaction, previous contrast reaction, last food/drink, jewellery/metal, and one comfort/checking question (for example, Does that make sense so far?).

Write as the clinician speaking directly to the patient. Keep each question clear and simple, like in the examples on the screen.

Patient: Laura King.

• Age: 42
• Appointment: CT abdomen/pelvis with contrast
• Patient says: “I Googled the dye and now I’m worried.”
• Past history: asthma (mild)
• Medications: inhaler as needed
• Unknown allergies: “I don’t think so… not sure.”
• Eating/drinking: patient arrived from work, unsure about fasting rules
• Jewellery: small necklace and earrings

3. Explaining what will happen step by step during the scan.

Next, we’ll work on the heart of the explanation: what will happen during the scan itself. Patients often imagine something much worse than reality, especially if they have read dramatic stories online. Your job is to explain the steps in a predictable order, using simple verbs and short sentences. For a CT scan, you can think in three phases: getting ready, the scan, and finishing up. Getting ready includes lying on the bed, positioning, and placing the cannula if needed. The scan includes the bed moving, the machine noise, and breathing instructions. Finishing up includes removing the cannula, checking how they feel, and telling them what happens next with results. Also notice how we talk about sensations: we avoid promises like “It won’t hurt”, and instead use balanced language like “It should not be painful, but you may feel some pressure or warmth.” That sounds honest and professional. In the task, you’ll rewrite a technical explanation into patient-friendly steps.

A simple structure that patients can follow.

When you explain a procedure, your language should create a clear timeline. Here is a reliable pattern:

1. Now: “First, we’ll…”
2. During: “Then you’ll…”
3. If / when: “If anything feels too uncomfortable…”
4. Check: “Does that make sense so far?”

Patient-friendly CT scan explanation (model).

You can adapt this to your own workplace:

> “First, I’ll ask you to lie on the bed, and we’ll make you comfortable with a pillow.

> Then the bed will move slowly through the scanner while we take the pictures.

> Most of the time you can breathe normally, and I’ll ask you to hold your breath for a few seconds for some images.

> When the contrast goes in, you may feel a warm, flushed feeling for a minute. That’s common and it passes.

> If anything is too uncomfortable, tell me straight away and we can pause.”

Avoiding absolute promises.

Patients trust you more when you sound honest:

Turning technical words into plain English.

• “intravenous cannula” → “a small plastic tube in your arm for the contrast”
• “contrast medium” → “contrast dye (a liquid that helps the pictures look clearer)”
• “supine” → “lying on your back”

Your practice task.

You will see a technical script. Your job is to rewrite it as 5–7 simple patient-friendly sentences, keeping the meaning but changing the wording.

Practice & Feedback

Read the technical explanation below. Rewrite it as if you are speaking to Laura, a nervous patient, just before the scan.

Write 5–7 short sentences. Use:

• step-by-step sequencing (First / Then / During / After),
• balanced sensation language (for example, It should not be painful, but…),
• one invitation to speak up (for example, Tell me straight away if…),
• one checking question (for example, Does that make sense so far?).

Keep it friendly and simple, and avoid heavy jargon.

Technical script (rewrite this).

“After cannulation, the patient will be positioned supine on the CT table. The table will advance through the gantry during image acquisition. Intravenous iodinated contrast will be administered, which can cause transient warmth. The patient will be instructed to perform repeated breath-holds. If the patient experiences adverse symptoms, the scan can be paused.”

4. Risks, benefits, and handling online worries calmly.

Let’s deal with the tricky part: questions about risks and what the patient has read online. At B2 level, your goal is not to give a lecture. It’s to give a balanced explanation: benefit, common sensations, small risks, and what you will do if a problem happens. A nervous patient may ask, “Is the dye dangerous?” or “Can I have an allergic reaction?” If you sound defensive, they worry more. If you sound too casual, they don’t trust you. So we use calm, clear phrasing: “Most people are fine, but there is a small risk of an allergic-type reaction. That’s why I’m checking about allergies, and we’ll monitor you.” Also, be careful with online information. You can validate their concern without arguing: “I hear your concern, and it’s a reasonable question. Online information can be confusing without context.” Then bring it back to the plan and give them control: “If you want to pause or stop, tell me straight away.” In the activity, you’ll write a short response to a patient’s worry, including a benefit and a safety line.

What ‘informed consent’ sounds like in everyday English.

Informed consent is not just a signature. It’s a conversation where you:

• explain the purpose and main steps,
• explain likely sensations,
• mention key risks in a calm, non-alarming way,
• invite questions,
• check understanding,
• confirm agreement to proceed.

A useful mini-structure for risks and benefits.

Try this sequence:

1. Benefit first: “The aim of this test is to…”
2. Common, normal sensations: “You may feel…”
3. Small risks (plain language): “There is a small risk of…”
4. Safety actions: “That’s why we check…, and we can stop if…”
5. Check and consent: “Does that make sense so far? Are you happy for us to go ahead?”

Example responses to online worries.

Patient: “I saw online that people can have a bad reaction to the dye.”

Clinician (calm, balanced):

> “I hear your concern, and it’s a reasonable question. Most people are fine, but there is a small risk of an allergic-type reaction. That’s why I’m checking about allergies and any previous reactions. We’ll keep an eye on you, and if you feel unwell at any point, tell me straight away and we can pause.”

Patient: “Is it safe with asthma?”

Clinician:

> “For most people with mild asthma, it’s still safe, but we take it seriously. I’ll ask a few extra questions and we’ll monitor you. If you feel tightness in your chest or wheezy, let us know immediately.”

Language that keeps the tone calm.

• “small risk” / “rare” (avoid dramatic words)
• “we’ll monitor you” (shows a safety plan)
• “tell me straight away” (gives the patient control)

Your task.

You’ll read Laura’s message and write your response as the clinician. Keep it short, but include: benefit, risk, safety action, and a checking question.

Practice & Feedback

Read Laura’s comment below. Write a short reply (80–120 words) as the clinician.

Include four elements:

1. One sentence about the benefit/purpose of the scan.
2. One sentence about a small risk in calm language.
3. One sentence about what you will do to keep her safe (checks/monitoring/stop if needed).
4. At least one checking question (for example, Does that make sense so far? or What questions do you have at this point?).

Keep your tone warm and professional. Do not argue with her or criticise her for Googling.

Laura says:.

“I’m really worried about the contrast dye. Online it says some people can’t breathe or they collapse. I’ve got mild asthma. Do I have to do this scan? I don’t want to panic in the scanner.”

5. Chat simulation: questions, pauses, and checking consent.

Now we’ll put the pieces together in a short chat-style simulation. This is where your communication needs to feel natural: you explain, you pause, you invite questions, and you check consent without sounding like you’re reading a script. In a real imaging department, the patient might ask questions at awkward moments: just as you’re about to start, or when you mention the cannula, or right before the contrast goes in. A safe clinician doesn’t rush past those questions. Instead, you answer briefly, check understanding, and then signpost the next step. I also want you to practise two types of checking. First, checking understanding: “Does that make sense so far?” Second, checking consent: “Are you happy for us to go ahead?” They are not the same. Understanding is about clarity; consent is about agreement. In the activity, you’ll take the clinician role in a mini chat. You’ll receive the patient’s lines in the audio. You’ll write what you would say back each time, keeping the CT scan scenario consistent and using the phrase bank we’ve been building.

How to sound structured in a real-time conversation.

In a chat (or face-to-face), you need quick building blocks.

A helpful pattern is Answer + Reassure + Next step + Check:

• Answer the question simply.
• Reassure honestly (no promises).
• Next step (keep the process moving).
• Check understanding or consent.

Mini phrase bank for the simulation.

You can copy and paste these ideas into your own style:

• “That’s a very common question.”
• “Most people feel fine, but if you feel unwell, tell me straight away.”
• “You’ll be able to breathe normally. I’ll just ask for a short breath-hold.”
• “Before we start, I need to check a few safety questions.”
• “Does that make sense so far?”
• “What questions do you have at this point?”
• “Are you happy for us to go ahead?”

Keep it patient-friendly.

Replace technical words quickly:

• “contrast” → “dye that helps the pictures look clearer”
• “cannula” → “small plastic tube in your arm”

Your simulation task.

You will hear the patient’s messages. Reply as the clinician in a chat format. Aim for 4–6 short clinician messages in total. Each message should be 1–3 sentences.

Focus on: calm tone, clear steps, and at least two checking questions across the whole chat.

Practice & Feedback

You’re now in a chat simulation. Listen to the patient’s messages (Laura). Then write your replies as the clinician.

Write 4–6 short chat messages. Format like this:

• Clinician: …
• Clinician: …

In your replies, you must:

• answer her questions about the scanner/contrast,
• give one preparation instruction (jewellery or fasting),
• include at least two checks in total (for example, Does that make sense so far? and Are you happy for us to go ahead?),
• keep a calm, supportive tone.

Stay in the same situation: CT abdomen/pelvis with contrast, right before the scan begins.

6. Capstone: full consent conversation from start to finish.

For our final block, you’ll do an integrated performance that feels like a mini OSCE station. You’ll complete the whole interaction: greet the patient, explain the scan step by step, cover preparation, mention likely sensations, address a key worry from online searching, and then check understanding and gain consent. This is where you show control of the structure. If you keep your sequence clear, you’ll sound more confident, and the patient will feel safer. Remember: consent is not a single line at the end. You build towards it by checking understanding at key points. Also, keep your language patient-friendly and realistic. Avoid absolute promises. Use “should” and “may” when appropriate. And always give the patient control: “If anything is too uncomfortable, tell me straight away and we can pause.” In the task you’ll write a complete script in two voices, clinician and patient, so you can practise turn-taking and timing. Aim for something you could genuinely say on a busy shift: calm, efficient, and kind.

Your performance goal.

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to prepare a nervous patient for a procedure and gain informed consent in plain English.

In this capstone task, you will produce a full short script for a CT scan with contrast.

What ‘good’ looks like (mini rubric).

Aim to include these five elements:

1. Clear structure: you signpost and sequence (first / then / during / after).
2. Preparation clarity: fasting, jewellery/clothing, and safety questions.
3. Balanced reassurance: honest language about sensations and small risks.
4. Checks: at least two understanding checks + one consent check.
5. Patient control: clear stop/pause language and invitation to ask questions.

Reference chunks to recycle.

Try to use several of these exactly (they are safe and reusable):

• “I’m going to explain what will happen step by step.”
• “The aim of this test is to…”
• “Before we start, I need to check a few safety questions.”
• “It should not be painful, but you may feel some pressure.”
• “If anything is too uncomfortable, tell me straight away.”
• “Does that make sense so far?”
• “What questions do you have at this point?”
• “Are you happy for us to go ahead?”

A realistic patient profile (keep consistent).

Patient: Laura King, 42, mild asthma, anxious, read about contrast online, unsure about past reaction.

Your writing task.

Write the conversation so it flows naturally. The patient should ask at least two questions, and you should answer them calmly and keep the process moving forward.

Practice & Feedback

Write a complete mini script (about 180–230 words) for this situation: you are the clinician preparing Laura King for a CT abdomen/pelvis with contrast.

Format it with two speakers:

• Clinician: …
• Patient: …

Include:

• greeting + role,
• purpose of the scan,
• preparation instructions (fasting and jewellery/metal),
• a simple step-by-step explanation of what happens during the scan,
• one short section on sensations and a small risk (calm language),
• at least two understanding checks and one consent check,
• the patient asks at least two questions (online worry/panic/asthma),
• a safe closing line: what to do if she feels unwell or wants to stop.

Make it sound like real spoken English in a hospital: calm, clear, not too long.

Situation reminder.

Laura is waiting outside the CT room. She says she is nervous because she read online that contrast dye can cause breathing problems. She has mild asthma and once had “a reaction” to something but can’t remember what. She is wearing a necklace and earrings and is unsure whether she was allowed to eat today.