APPLIED ENGLISH FOR INTEGRATIVE MEDICAL CASES

Names:

• Karina Gaibor
• Bryan Jiménez
• Jeremy Parrales
• Mikaela Tello
• Evelyn Vásquez

Curse: 10th “A”

DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION

1)    Describe the key components of an effective medical interview. What specific skills are essential for establishing rapport with the patient and ensuring accurate information gathering?

For us, an effective medical interview includes patient-centered communication, including active listening, and structured questioning. Establishing rapport requires empathy, respect, and cultural sensitivity to build trust. Essential components include open-ended questions to explore concerns and closed-ended questions for specifics. Non-verbal communication, such as eye contact and body language, enhances patient comfort. Clarification and summarization help ensure accuracy and patient understanding. Active listening prevents missing crucial details while demonstrating engagement. Avoiding medical jargon improves clarity and patient participation. Exploring psychosocial factors provides a holistic view of the patient's condition. Demonstrating professionalism and confidentiality fosters trust. Lastly, adapting to patient needs ensures a comprehensive and effective interview.

2)    Consider a scenario where a patient is reluctant to share personal health information. What strategies would you employ during the interview to encourage openness and facilitate effective communication?

To encourage openness in patients who are reluctant to share information, it is essential to create a trusting environment by presenting oneself empathetically and ensuring confidentiality. Active listening, including eye contact and rephrasing responses, helps the patient feel understood. It is advisable to start with general questions and gradually move on to more sensitive topics. Validating emotions without judgment and explaining the importance of the information strengthens communication. Using indirect or hypothetical questions can facilitate responses. It is crucial to respect the patient's pace and avoid pressure. Creating opportunities for future conversations also promotes openness.

3)    Describe the significance of auscultation during a physical examination. What specific techniques should be used when auscultating the heart and lungs, and what key findings would you listen for?

Auscultation is crucial for assessing heart and lung sounds, aiding in early diagnosis. For the heart, use the diaphragm for high-pitched sounds and the bell for low-pitched ones. Evaluate in different positions: supine, left lateral, and leaning forward. Key findings include S1, S2, murmurs (valvular diseases), gallops (heart failure), and pericardial friction rub (pericarditis). For the lungs, use the diaphragm, ask the patient to breathe deeply, and compare both sides symmetrically. Normal breath sounds include vesicular and bronchial, while abnormal findings include crackles (pneumonia, edema), wheezes (asthma, COPD), rhonchi (bronchitis), and pleural rub (pleuritis).

4)    Explain the importance of inspecting the skin during a physical examination. What specific signs or abnormalities should you look for, and how might these findings guide your differential diagnosis?

Inspecting the skin during a physical exam helps detect local and systemic diseases early. Key signs include color changes (pallor → anemia, jaundice → liver disease, cyanosis → hypoxia). Lesions and rashes may indicate infections, autoimmune disorders, or malignancies. Skin texture and moisture can signal dehydration, hypothyroidism, or shock. Nail changes (clubbing → chronic hypoxia, koilonychia → iron deficiency) provide diagnostic clues. Hair abnormalities suggest endocrine disorders or nutritional deficiencies. Edema and turgor reflect hydration status and cardiovascular or renal conditions. Recognizing patterns helps differentiate between infectious, inflammatory, metabolic, and neoplastic diseases. A thorough skin exam guides further testing and management, improving diagnostic accuracy.