Discharge Instructions After Surgery
Intermediate English listening exercise · Hospital
Transcript
[Nurse] Alright, Mr. Garcia, you're being discharged today after your appendectomy. Let me go over your care instructions. [Patient] Great, I'm ready to go home. [Nurse] I understand! First, about your incision sites. You have three small laparoscopic incisions. Keep them clean and dry for forty-eight hours. After that, you can shower, but don't soak in a bath or swimming pool for two weeks. [Patient] What about the bandages? [Nurse] The surgical tape strips will fall off on their own within a week. Don't pull them off early. [Patient] What about pain management? [Nurse] You've been prescribed hydrocodone for the first three to five days. Take it only as needed and never more than what's prescribed. After that, switch to over-the-counter ibuprofen or acetaminophen. [Patient] When can I go back to work? [Nurse] Most people return to desk work within one week. If your job involves physical labor, you'll need two to four weeks. No heavy lifting — nothing over ten pounds — for at least two weeks. [Patient] What warning signs should I watch for? [Nurse] Call us immediately if you experience fever above one hundred and one degrees, increasing redness or drainage from the incision, severe abdominal pain, or persistent vomiting. [Patient] Got it. [Nurse] Your follow-up appointment is scheduled for ten days from now with Dr. Park. Here's a summary of everything we discussed, plus your prescriptions. Do you have any questions? [Patient] No, I think I'm all set. Thank you for taking such good care of me.
Comprehension questions
- How long should the patient avoid baths?
- What is a warning sign to call the hospital?
- How many laparoscopic incisions does Mr. Garcia have?
- How long can Mr. Garcia shower after his surgery?
- What should Mr. Garcia do if he experiences a fever above what temperature?