drawing of a monitor  Module 3 – Unit 2:  Language Focus

Phrasal Verbs in Health Care

Answer the following questions about phrasal verbs in English.

  1. If a phrase is a group of two or more words, what is a phrasal verb?
  2. What is the difference between pick out and pick up?
  3. What is the phrasal verb in each sentence below? Underline it and write a synonym below it.

    1. I think I might be coming down with the flu.

    2. I hope not. I just got over it, and it lasted for two weeks.

Write as many phrasal verbs as you can with the following verbs in the chart below. Check the meaning of each phrasal verb. Then think of a situation in a health care setting in which you might use some of the phrasal verbs that you listed. Use as many of the verbs as you can.

take
get
look
     

Read the passage below. Circle the phrasal verbs and underline the idioms. Think of another way of saying each one.

Saeed is a new graduate nurse. Yesterday he got in over his head. His patient started throwing up blood and dropped his blood pressure really fast. Saeed started to freak out and yelled for help. I bumped up the patient’s IV to wide open and STAT called the resident. I told Saeed not to worry. It takes everyone awhile to get used to emergency situations.

Read the sentences below with phrasal verbs commonly used in communicating about health care. Choose the answer with the closest meaning and circle the letter.

  1. My last doctor put my son on antibiotics for his ear infection.
    1. withdrew
    2. prescribed
    3. replaced
    4. recommended

  2. The rash on my arm seems to have cleared up.
    1. become infected
    2. spread
    3. disappeared
    4. got worse

  3. That lecture was so difficult that I couldn’t take anything in.
    1. eat
    2. keep
    3. understand
    4. feel

  4. I often nod off for just a few minutes in the middle of the day.
    1. feel nauseated
    2. feel tired
    3. fall asleep
    4. have a hot flash

  5. My eyes puff up whenever I get a bee sting.
    1. swell
    2. can’t see
    3. change color
    4. itch

  6. I’ve blacked out three times in the last few weeks.
    1. vomited
    2. fainted
    3. had migraine headaches
    4. had a seizure

  7. Ms. Kim refused her dinner; she says she can’t keep anything down. 
    1. relax
    2. stay still
    3. stop shaking
    4. eat or drink without vomiting

  8. The ward clerk is taking off the medication orders that Dr. Schultz   wrote.
    1. transcribing
    2. canceling
    3. removing
    4. correcting

  9. Dr. Goldstein will call in a prescription for you.
    1. cancel
    2. renew
    3. order by telephone
    4. talk about

  10. Mr. Bogdanoff got a pain shot that really knocked him out.
    1. caused a fall
    2. caused heavy sedation
    3. caused him to be nauseated
    4. caused him great pain