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2.4. Following Instruction – Listening & Speaking

Learning Objectives

At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

  • Identify key healthcare-related terminology and use it in context.
  • Demonstrate the ability to follow verbal healthcare instructions through listening and role-playing activities.
  • Summarize and communicate healthcare procedures and treatment plans clearly and accurately.
  • Apply effective communication strategies for explaining health conditions and treatments to patients, including those with low health literacy.
  • Reflect on the importance of clear communication in healthcare and strategies for improving understanding in high-pressure situations.

Part 1: Warm-Up

In pairs:

  • tell each other about a time where you had to follow verbal instructions in a work or academic setting? Did you follow the instruction? Why/Why not?
  • tell your partner about an experience where you lost money/time/points due to not following instructions.

Part 2: Non-verbal communication

Vocabulary

Match the terms with their definitions.

Miming game – non verbal

You will work in groups of 3/4. Each group will take turns performing and guessing.

Each group will choose one student to be the “mimer” for the first round. The mimer will pick a statement from the list (without showing it to their group) and act it out using only gestures and body language — no speaking or sounds allowed!

Set a timer for 1 minute for each round. The mimer will have this time to convey their statement to their team.

The other group members will try to guess what the mimer is portraying. They can shout out their guesses, but only the first correct guess will count.

If the team correctly guesses the statement before the timer runs out, they earn a point!

After the first round, the next student in the group will become the mimer and select a new statement from the list. Continue rotating until each student has had a chance to mime.

Keep track of the points each group earns on the board. At the end of all rounds, the group with the most points wins!

After the game, gather the class and discuss:

    • What strategies helped you understand your teammates’ gestures?
    • How did it feel to communicate non-verbally?
    • What was the most challenging part of the game?
    • How is the game related to the importance of following instructions.

Debrief: Discuss as a class how quick instructions can be effectively communicated and followed in high-pressure situations.

Part 3: Listening

Watch the video clip of a healthcare professional administering medication. Listen carefully and write down at least five main steps the healthcare professional followed.

Now work in groups and rewrite the instructions based on your notes.

Example: First the health professional knocked on the door and greeted the patient.

Review the correct sequence as a class and clarify any misunderstandings.

Part 4: Summarizing a Procedure

Watch the video on taking vital signs.

Take notes on the key steps of the procedure and write the summary of each procedure.

The first one is done for you.

  1. Preparation:
    • The nurse begins by ensuring a clean and safe environment. This includes washing hands thoroughly to prevent infection and ensuring that the patient is comfortable and relaxed before starting the assessment.
  1. Measuring Temperature:
  1. Taking Pulse:
  1. Assessing Respiratory Rate:
  2. Measuring Blood Pressure:
  3. Recording and Interpreting Results:

Part 5: Speaking Activity – Discussing Health Conditions

Warm-Up: Think about a health condition you are familiar with. Briefly discuss with a partner:

  • What are the symptoms?
  • What are the treatments or management strategies?

Part 6: Role play Activity

Work with a partner. Use the scenario provided below. One partner will play the healthcare provider, explaining the condition and treatment plan to the patient. The other partner plays the patient, asking questions or expressing concerns.

HCP: Good morning, Mr. Collins. Your blood pressure readings show you have hypertension, so we need to start a treatment plan. This will include medication, lifestyle changes, and regular check-ups. Feel free to ask questions. I’m prescribing Lisinopril, 10 mg daily. It helps lower blood pressure by relaxing your blood vessels. Take it every morning. Any questions about this?

Patient: Are there side effects?

HCP: Yes, some people may have a dry cough or feel dizzy. If it bothers you, let me know. Now, let’s discuss lifestyle changes. Following the DASH diet will help. 

Patient: What does DASH diet mean?

HCP: This means eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy while cutting down on salt. Any questions about the diet?

Patient: How much salt can I have?

HCP: Try to keep it under 2,300 mg a day, which is about one teaspoon. Less is even better. Check food labels to help. Regular exercise is important too. Aim for 30 minutes of brisk walking five days a week. Any questions about exercise?

Patient: What if I can’t do 30 minutes at once?

HCP: That’s okay! You can break it into three 10-minute sessions. Just stay consistent. Finally, please monitor your blood pressure at home. Do you have a blood pressure monitor?

Patient: No, what should I get?

HCP: Get an automatic upper-arm monitor. The pharmacy can help you choose one. Bring your readings to your follow-up in four weeks. Any other questions?

Patient: No, that’s all for now. Thank you.

Switch roles and repeat the role play.

Group work

Your group has been assigned a health condition and treatment plan and discuss:

  • The condition and its symptoms.
  • The treatment options available.
  • How to explain these options to a patient with low health literacy.
Health Condition Symptoms Treatment Plan
Asthma .Wheezing (whistling sound when breathing).

Shortness of breath, especially during physical activity or at night.

Chest tightness or discomfort.

Coughing, often worse at night or early morning.

Symptoms triggered by allergens, cold air, or exercise.
  1. Medication:
    • Daily inhaled corticosteroid (Fluticasone) to reduce airway inflammation.
    • Albuterol (rescue inhaler) for acute symptoms during asthma attacks.
  2. Lifestyle Adjustments:
    • Identify and avoid triggers like smoke, pollen, dust mites, or pet dander.
    • Use a humidifier during dry seasons and an air purifier if needed.
  3. Monitoring:
    • Use a peak flow meter daily to measure lung function and predict asthma attacks.
    • Maintain an asthma action plan for managing symptoms and medication use.
  4. Follow-Up:
    • Regular check-ups every 3 months to reassess medication effectiveness and triggers.
High Cholesterol High cholesterol often has no symptoms and is detected through routine blood tests.

In severe cases, symptoms of related complications may appear, such as: Chest pain (angina) due to narrowed arteries; Yellowish fatty deposits under the skin (xanthomas); Stroke or heart attack as a result of blocked arteries.
  1. Medication:
    • Prescribed Atorvastatin 20 mg daily to lower LDL cholesterol.
    • Omega-3 supplements to support heart health.
  2. Lifestyle Adjustments:
    • Diet: Adopt a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats like avocados and nuts. Avoid processed foods high in trans and saturated fats.
    • Exercise: Engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity weekly.
    • Weight Management: Aim to reduce body weight by 5-10% if overweight.
  3. Monitoring:
    • Routine lipid panel tests every 6 months to track cholesterol levels.
  4. Follow-Up:
    • Revisit in 3 months to adjust medication and discuss progress with lifestyle changes.
Type 1 Diabetes Excessive thirst (polydipsia).

Frequent urination (polyuria).

Unintended weight loss despite normal or increased appetite.

Fatigue and weakness.

Blurred vision.

Slow-healing wounds or frequent infections.

Fruity-smelling breath (in severe cases, indicating ketoacidosis).
  1. Medication:
    • Insulin therapy:
      • Basal insulin once daily (e.g., Lantus) for long-term blood sugar control.
      • Bolus insulin before meals (e.g., Humalog) to manage carbohydrate intake.
  2. Lifestyle Adjustments:
    • Diet: Work with a dietitian to implement carbohydrate counting and balanced meals.
    • Exercise: Encourage regular physical activity but monitor blood sugar levels closely before, during, and after exercise.
  3. Monitoring:
    • Check blood sugar levels 4-6 times daily with a glucometer or continuous glucose monitor (CGM).
    • Monitor for symptoms of hypoglycemia (shakiness, sweating, confusion) and hyperglycemia (thirst, dry mouth).
  4. Education:
    • Train the patient and caregivers on insulin injection techniques, recognizing warning signs of complications, and managing emergencies like ketoacidosis.
  5. Follow-Up:
    • Regular endocrinology visits every 3 months to adjust insulin doses and review overall management.

Switch roles and repeat the role play.

Group work

Your group has been assigned a health condition and treatment plan and discuss:

  • The condition and its symptoms.
  • The treatment options available.
  • How to explain these options to a patient with low health literacy.

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Basic Skills for Clinical Medical Assistant Copyright © 2025 by Montgomery College is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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