APPLIED ENGLISH FOR INTEGRATIVE MEDICAL CASES

Names:

• Doménica Chasi
• Tania Eras
• Nathalia Haro
• Steven Llamuca

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?

To establish a good rapport with the patient and ensure accurate information gathering, it is essential to develop specific communication and empathy skills. Active listening allows for understanding the patient's concerns without interruptions, fostering trust. The use of open-ended questions helps explore symptoms and perceptions, while closed-ended questions help clarify key details. Emotional validation, through expressions of understanding and support, strengthens the doctor-patient connection. Additionally, nonverbal communication, such as eye contact and an open posture, conveys interest and professionalism. Clarification and information reformulation ensure effective communication, minimizing misunderstandings. The ability to develop these skills optimizes the medical interview and improves clinical outcomes.

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?

If a patient is reluctant to share personal information, the most important thing is to build trust. First, I would use an empathetic approach, showing genuine interest and avoiding any judgment. I would also explain that everything they share is confidential and that knowing their history will help provide better treatment. I would ask open-ended questions and give them time to respond without pressure. I’d maintain eye contact and use a calm tone to make them feel comfortable. If they still don’t want to talk, I’d try to redirect the conversation with less direct questions and then slowly return to the main topic.

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

Auscultation is an essential technique in the physical examination that assesses heart and lung function. Cardiac auscultation is performed at specific sites, such as the aortic, pulmonary, tricuspid, and mitral valves, using the diaphragm and bell of the stethoscope. Normal sounds (S1 and S2), abnormal sounds with S3 and S4, and systolic or diastolic heart murmurs should be identified. Lung auscultation is performed at strategic points on the chest to detect normal sounds, such as breath sounds, and pathological sounds, such as rales with pneumonia, pulmonary edema, wheezing with asthma, COPD, or pleural friction rubs with pleuritis. Auscultation is a key tool for the early diagnosis of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

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?

The skin reflects a patient’s overall health and can provide information about systemic infectious, autoimmune or internal diseases. Among the main signs and abnormalities that guide an accurate diagnosis are skin color changes, which may indicate cyanosis, jaundice, or erythema. Additionally, primary and secondary skin lesions offer clues about infectious, vascular, or neuropathic diseases, among other conditions. Likewise, hydration, texture, and specific signs help identify primary skin conditions or cutaneous manifestations of internal diseases, allowing for appropriate clinical management based on the differential diagnosis.