Oet Writing Exercise Answers

Task 1 25th July 2009 The Director Community Child Health Service 41 Jones Street Ekibin

Dear Sir/Madam, Re: Vamuya Obeki I am writing to refer Vamuya, a 4year-old child and his family to you. He was admitted to our hospital on the 15th of July through the Children’s Emergency Department with the diagnosis of acute meningoencephalitis following mumps. He is due to be discharged today. He was born in Sudan and arrived in Australia in 2008 with his parents and a 2 year-old little brother as refugees. They recently moved to rental accommodation. Their only income is made by his father, Abdullah, who is employed as a factory shift worker. This family has no family doctor now. As well as this, they have a language barrier. His father can understand spoken English but his mother, Miri, has limited understanding of English. During his stay in hospital, he has fully recovered from the mumps and meningoencephalitis. However he will need a neurological check –up. For both children, the advice on recommended vaccines will be needed. I hope you will be able to arrange someone who can help this family and provide proper medical support. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further information about this family.

Yours sincerely, Nurse 189 words

Task 2 The Director Community Child Health Service 41 Vulture Street West End, 4101 Dear Sir/Madam Re: Ms Nicole Smith DOB: 04/09/1991 I am writing to refer this patient, an 18-year-old single mother who delivered a baby boy on the 10/09/09. Nicole had difficulty with vaginal delivery which took 16 hours of labour. Therefore, due to fetal distress and progress failure an emergency caesarean section was performed. The baby is progressing quite well with breast feeding and is gaining weight and is currently 4.4kg. Fefol and Vitamin C were prescribed to Nicole as her blood examination revealed low numbers in her hemoglobin from blood loss. Nicole has no relatives in Brisbane and no contact with her family or the father of the baby. She lives in a rented flat with one other young woman and is on a single mother’s pension. My main concern is that she does not believe she has the ability to breastfeed, bathe or care for her baby and is considering adoption. It would be greatly appreciated if you could organise a home visit for Nicole and the baby. Nicole requires appropriate advice and assistance to encourage her to develop parenting skills due to her isolated circumstances. Thank you for agreeing to assist in this matter. Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me. Yours sincerely, Charge Nurse Spirit Mother’s Hospital

Task 3 The Admission Doctor The Spirit Hospital Emergency Department Dear Doctor, Re: Mrs Betty Olsen DOB: 29/01/1926 I am writing regarding Mrs Olsen, an elderly woman suffering from chest pain who has been transferred to your hospital via ambulance. She is a resident of Golden Pond Retirement Village. Her husband died in December 2008 and she has a son who lives in Warwick. She was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in 1997, hypertension in 2003 and glaucoma in 2004. Mrs. Olsen is currently on prescription medication which includes: karvea 150 mg daily, orixine 0.1 mg daily, timoptol eye drops 0.5% twice a day and normison 10 mg as required. She also takes non prescription medication which includes: golden glow glucosamine tablet one daily and vitamin C complex sustained release with breakfast. Please also note, she has an allergy to penicillin.

Last night she refused her dinner because she felt slightly nauseous. She had trouble sleeping and complained of shoulder and neck pain. Her condition has further deteriorated today and normison and two Panadol tablets were given at 10 pm. When I checked on her at 10.45 pm, Mrs. Olsen was distressed, pale and sweaty and complaining of persistent chest pain. Her blood pressure was 190/100 mmHg.

I would appreciate your assessment and emergency management of this patient’s condition. Yours sincerely, Night Nurse Golden Pond Retirement Village

Task 4 1 August, 2009 The Director of Nursing Glen Haven Palliative Care Hospice 971 Arthur Street Toowoomba Dear Sir/Madam, Re: Mrs. Maeve Greerson I am referring this patient, a 58- year-old terminally ill widow, who has been under our care for the treatment of cancer. She was transferred to your centre for further care this morning. She has had lower intestine cancer since March, 2009. When admitted to this hospital she complained of dehydration, nausea and severe pain. She has received IV fluids and transdermal patch for pain. She has been told to take light, low fiber foods and has been visited by a social worker. Over the past week, she has remained free from severe pain and has been able to tolerate a fluid diet. Mrs. Greerson has had radiation therapy for six weeks and her life expectancy is only 3 – 4 months. Therefore, she and her only relative, her brother Mr. Brian Hewson have made the decision that she would only receive treatment for pain and comfort. Based on the advice of a social worker, her brother has requested that Mrs. Greerson be transferred to your centre. As she is in morbid condition, please make an arrangement to provide prioritized care. Thank you for agreeing to assist in this matter. Should you require any more information, please do not hesitate to contact me. Yours sincerely, Sarina Chai Charge Nurse.

Task 5 15/09/2009 The Heart Foundation Centre Community Information Section Gregory Terrace Brisbane Dear Sir/Madam, Re: Mr. Bill O’ Riley I am writing with regard to Mr. O’Riley, a 53 –year- old- man, who was admitted the hospital on the 2nd of September and diagnosed with obstructive coronary artery disease. He underwent a coronary artery bypass graft on the 4th of September. Mr. 0’Riley has a history of smoking (20 cigarettes per day) and drinks on a regular basis. His body mass index is high and he usually eats fatty, rich foods. After the surgery, Mr. O’Riley has attained a routine post operative recovery. He has been advised to stop smoking and to reduce alcohol consumption. He also has been told to follow a low fat diet and has been receiving attention from a social worker. His wounds are healing and he is walking well. After he is discharged from the hospital, Mr. O’Riley needs to go for a follow- up visit to a local general practitioner and to continue a rehabilitation exercise program. In order to maintain a good health condition, Mr. O’Riley has requested advice on low, fat dietary guidelines and healthy, simple recipes. It would be greatly appreciated if you could send the above mentioned information to Mr. O’Riley at his home address, 9476 Old Dam Road, Goondiwindi, QLD, 4390. Yours sincerely, Lee Wong Charge Nurse

Task 6 01/11/2008 Ms. Jenny Attard The Nursing Director Community Home Care Agency Brisbane Dear Ms. Attard Re: Ms. Robyn Harwood DOB: 04/02/1948 I am writing to request daily home visits by the Blue Nurses to provide care and support for this patient, a 61 year-old widow who lives on her own. Ms. Harwood was admitted to our hospital on the 30th of October with a diagnosis of right rotator cuff tear following a fall while descending stairs. Therefore, surgery has been suggested, however, she prefers non-surgical treatment. She has received ibuprofen and cortisone as prescribed and also daily visits by a physiotherapist. In terms of her medical history, she suffers from type 2 diabetes mellitus for which she is taking metformine 500mg. However, following her discharge, she will need a regular monitoring on the blood glucose level which may become elevated due to administration of cortisone during hospitalisation. She will also require assistance in showering and home help. As well as this, she needs to review her condition with an orthopaedic surgeon on the 19th of November. Ms. Harwood lives alone and has no children. Her next of kin is her niece, Megan Mack who lives in Sydney. Regrettably, she has no relatives or friends to support her. Please contact me if you require further information regarding this patient. Yours sincerely, Sonya Matthews Registered Nurse, Mater Hospital

Task 7 Model Letter The Director Aged Care Assessment Team 78 Masterson Street Brisbane Dear Sir/Madam, Re: Mr. Henry O’Keefe I am writing to requesting aged care assistance for Mr. O’Keefe, an 83- year-old man who is recovering from a malignant melanoma in his left shoulder. Mr. O’Keefe was admitted to the Mater Public Hospital on the 14th of March and underwent surgery. Since his discharge from the hospital, we have been doing daily home visits and wound dressing and also assisting him with his showers. On observation today, Mr. O’Keefe’s general condition had improved. His wound is healing and is free from complications. Mr. O’Keefe, who lives with his wife in a housing commission home, is an aged care pensioner. They are getting some help from their neighbours, but they are having trouble keeping up with routine household work. As per the doctor’s order, we have organized daily home visits until 24 March 2008 after which our nursing care will end. Therefore, it would be greatly appreciated if you could do a home visit and assess their needs and to arrange further assistance for this family. Thank you for agreeing to assist in this matter. For further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely, Charge Nurse Blue Skies Home Care Centre

Task 8 Model Letter 07/03/2010 Barnaby Webster The School Psychologist Toohey Point State School Dear Mr Webster, Re: Alison Cooper DOB: 14/06/00 I am writing to refer Alison, a year 5 student at our school due to possible psychological problems and low self esteem. She lives with her mother, who is working full-time as a bank manager and her father died 3 years ago due to an accident. Alison has an older sister and a younger brother. Her grandmother looks after the children when required. In terms of her medical history, she is suffers from asthma and eczema with no other significant illnesses, however, she is overweight for her age. Her school record shows that she has a history of regular absence during the past 5 years. In addition, her academic performance is declining and she is reluctant to joint any school activities unless persuaded. She has few friends and has been teased by her peers about her weight. Please note, Alison’s teacher contacted her mother regarding her situation and she reported that Alison is overeating, embarrassed about her eczema and missing her father, who she was very close to. Based on this, I would appreciate it if you could investigate her case and should you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely, Charge Nurse Toohey Point State School Word Count: 195 words

Task 9 Model Letter 21/05/09 The Director Blue Nursing Service 207 Sydney Street New Farm, 4106 Re: Ms Annette McNamara DOB 14.06.1936 I am writing to request daily visits by the Blue Nurses to provide support for this patient, an aged pensioner who lives on her own. Ms McNamara was admitted to the Princess Alexandra Hospital on 20th May following a fall down a flight of stairs at her flat. She sustained a fractured right wrist, lacerations to her left hand which required stitches and severe bruising to her right shoulder and lower back. Providing there are no complications, hospital discharge is scheduled for 22 May. She has a 10.30am appointment on 31/05/09 at our Out Patient Department to remove the stitches and review her situation. Meals on Wheels and a home physiotherapist visit are being organised by a social worker. Ms McNamara will also require assistance with showering and to have her left hand wound dressed. Ms McNamara’s current medications are Karvea 150mg daily to control high blood pressure, Normison 10mg as required for insomnia and 2 Panadol 4 hourly while pain persists. She moved to a new flat recently and has lost her usual social contacts. Her next of kin is a niece, Stella who can be contacted on 075 5984 7216. Please contact me if you require any further information. Yours sincerely, Grace Jones Ward C 25 Princess Alexandra Hospital

Word Length: 201 Words

Task 10 Model Letter

The Director Department of Veterans’ Affairs GPO Box 777 Brisbane, 4001

Dear Sir/Madam Re: DVA Eligibility for Mr Jim Middleton D0B 3/7/1924 I am writing to request a home visit by DVA staff to Mr Jim Middleton and his wife Olga to assess their eligibility for a DVA pension and/or other assistance that your department provides. Their address is Alexander Street, Belmont, Brisbane 4153. Their phone number is (07) 6946 5173. Mr Middleton, a Second World War veteran, was also a prisoner of war. He does not receive any government pension or other assistance. He was discharged from hospital on 9 July after a successful inguinal hernia operation. His physical activities are currently limited and he cannot drive for at least six weeks. Prior to discharge, Mr Middleton’s wife Olga spoke to me about their ability to manage their own home without assistance. Their income is not sufficient to pay for home or garden help. Olga does not drive and there is no nearby public transport. She is in good general health but finds phone conversation difficult due to hearing problems. A home visit to discuss their eligibility for assistance would be appreciated. Please contact me on (07) 3947 2987 should your require any further information

Yours sincerely, Nurse Manager, Ward 3 Word Count:184 words