OET Rx (Student Pre-Class)

Lesson 12: Explaining Common Side Effects

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Course Progress

Overall Progress Lesson 12 of 100

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Part 1: Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

Explain common and rare side effects in a clear and balanced way.
Manage patient anxiety related to potential adverse events.
Differentiate between mild, self-limiting side effects and serious "red flag" symptoms.
Provide patients with clear instructions on how to manage side effects.

Lesson Video

Coming Soon

This video will be available for the offline course version.

Part 2: Vocabulary & Examples

Study the words, their pronunciations, Persian translations, and example sentences to understand how they are used in context.

General Vocabulary

example /ɪɡˈzɑːmpl/:

مثال

For example, a common side effect of this drug is a dry mouth, which can be managed by drinking more water.

excellent /ˈeksələnt/:

عالی

This is an excellent medication for controlling your symptoms, although we do need to discuss its potential side effects.

except /ɪkˈsept/:

به جز

The medication is well-tolerated by most people, except for those with a pre-existing kidney condition.

exercise /ˈeksəsaɪz/:

ورزش

Regular exercise can help to mitigate some side effects, such as the mild weight gain associated with this drug.

exist /ɪɡˈzɪst/:

وجود داشتن

I want to be transparent that side effects do exist, but for most patients, the benefits of the treatment far outweigh them.

expect /ɪkˈspekt/:

انتظار داشتن

We expect you might experience some mild nausea during the first week of treatment, which is a normal sign that your body is adjusting.

expectation /ˌekspekˈteɪʃn/:

انتظار

It's important to set a realistic expectation; most powerful medications will have some potential side effects.

expected /ɪkˈspektɪd/:

مورد انتظار

Drowsiness is an expected side effect, so we advise you to take this medication in the evening.

experience (n.) /ɪkˈspɪəriəns/:

تجربه

While your friend had a bad experience, it's important to remember that everyone reacts to medication differently.

expert /ˈekspɜːt/:

متخصص

If you experience any unusual eye-related side effects, you must see an eye expert immediately.

explain /ɪkˈspleɪn/:

توضیح دادن

It is my duty to explain both the common and the rare side effects so you can make an informed decision.

explanation /ˌekspləˈneɪʃn/:

توضیح

Was my explanation of how to manage potential dizziness clear to you?

express (v.) /ɪkˈspres/:

ابراز کردن

Please feel free to express any concerns you have about these potential side effects.

expression /ɪkˈspreʃn/:

عبارت

The expression "self-limiting" means that the side effect is expected to go away on its own without any treatment.

extend /ɪkˈstend/:

تمدید کردن

We may need to extend your follow-up schedule to monitor how you are tolerating the new medication.

extent /ɪkˈstent/:

حد

The extent to which you experience side effects can sometimes depend on the dosage.

extra /ˈekstrə/:

اضافی

I am giving you some extra information in this leaflet that explains the side effects in more detail.

extreme /ɪkˈstriːm/:

شدید

While most side effects are mild, in very extreme and rare cases, a severe allergic reaction can occur.

face (v.) /feɪs/:

مواجه شدن

I want you to feel prepared to face any potential side effects, knowing exactly what to do.

fact /fækt/:

واقعیت

It is a fact that all medications have potential side effects, but it is also a fact that many people experience none at all.

Medical Vocabulary

Adverse Event /ˌædvɜːs ɪˈvent/:

رویداد نامطلوب

We are required to report any serious adverse event, even if we only suspect it might be related to the medication.

Allergic Reaction /əˈlɜːrdʒɪk riˈækʃn/:

واکنش آلرژیک

If you develop a rash, facial swelling, or difficulty breathing, this could be an allergic reaction and you must seek emergency help.

Common /ˈkɒmən/:

شایع

A headache is a very common side effect, and it can usually be managed with simple painkillers.

Management (of symptoms) /ˈmænɪdʒmənt/:

مدیریت (علائم)

The management of nausea often involves taking the tablet with food or just after a meal.

Nausea /ˈnɔːziə/:

تهوع

A significant number of patients report mild nausea when they first start this drug, but it typically improves within a week.

Precaution /prɪˈkɔːʃn/:

احتیاط

As a precaution, I advise you not to drive until you know how this medication affects you, as it can cause drowsiness.

Rare /reər/:

نادر

A serious effect on the liver is rare, but because it's a possibility, we need to monitor your blood regularly.

Red Flag Symptom /red flæɡ ˈsɪmptəm/:

علائم هشداردهنده

Severe, sudden chest pain is a red flag symptom that requires immediate medical attention.

Self-limiting /ˌselfˈlɪmɪtɪŋ/:

خودمحدودشونده

The initial dizziness you might feel is usually self-limiting and should disappear as your body gets used to the medication.

Tolerate (v.) /ˈtɒləreɪt/:

تحمل کردن

We will start you on a low dose to see how well you tolerate the medication before we consider increasing it.

Part 3: Pre-Class Practice Tests

Reading Task (Interdisciplinary Context: Pharmacy):

Excerpt from a professional guide for Pharmacists on patient counselling

When counselling on over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines, a key task is to explain the side effect profile. A common expectation from patients is that all modern antihistamines are non-drowsy. While this is largely true for second-generation drugs like Loratadine, it is an error to assume this for all products. First-generation antihistamines, such as Chlorphenamine, are still widely available and cause significant drowsiness. This fact must be explained clearly. The pharmacist must stress this as a precaution, especially for patients who drive or operate machinery. A simple explanation of the difference and asking the patient about their daily activities is an excellent way to ensure they choose the appropriate product and understand its effects.

Question: According to the text, what is a key responsibility of a pharmacist when a patient chooses an antihistamine?

Listening Task (Part C Simulation - Interview):

Scenario: You will hear part of an interview with a clinical pharmacologist, Dr. Stephens.

0:00

Task: According to Dr. Stephens, what is a major benefit of explaining side effects proactively?

Part 4: Answer Key for Pre-Class Work

Reading Answer: b) To ensure the patient understands the potential for drowsiness with certain types.

Listening Answer: b) It reduces patient anxiety and improves their adherence to the treatment.

Part 5: In-Class Preparation

Be prepared to discuss the vocabulary and practice the following tasks in class.

Speaking Task: OET Role-Play Card (Medicine)

Setting: A GP's office.
Patient: A 35-year-old patient diagnosed with moderate depression. You have decided to prescribe a common SSRI antidepressant (e.g., Sertraline).
Task: Explain your decision to prescribe the medication. Explain the common, self-limiting side effects that can occur in the first two weeks (e.g., nausea, dizziness). Provide advice on management. Explain one rare but serious "red flag" symptom (e.g., Serotonin Syndrome signs like high fever, agitation, muscle twitching). Provide clear instructions on what to do if they experience the red flag symptom. Reassure the patient by putting the risks in perspective.

Writing Task:

You are the doctor from the speaking scenario. Create a short, clear "Patient Information Handout" that the patient can take home. It should summarize the key information about the side effects you discussed, clearly separating "Common, Mild Effects" from "Rare but Urgent Symptoms".

Proceed to Lesson 13

OET Rx

In this lesson, you will be able to: