How long has this been going on?

Dr Ryan consults Brittany, a high school teacher, at the Oakridge Medical Centre in Seattle about her persistent fatigue and weight loss.

How long has this been going on?

Listen and choose the right answer

What did Brittany initially blame her tiredness on?

• Normal work stress and school chalk dust
• A severe case of seasonal flu
• Her husband's cooking habits

Which unexpected fact did Brittany mention about her husband Mark?

• He has started a new job in downtown Seattle
• He has also been losing weight and coughing since they moved
• He refuses to visit the medical centre with her

What potential environmental problem did Dr Ryan identify in their home?

• Broken heating and poor ventilation
• Indoor mold and dampness in the basement
• A dangerous gas leak in the kitchen

What tests did the doctor decide to order for Brittany and her husband?

• A blood pressure check and an ECG
• A chest X-ray and a sputum sample
• An allergy test and a thyroid panel

Listen again and complete the sentences

• Ryan: Good morning, Brittany, I've looked at your chart, and I'd like to ask you a few questions about your general health. How long has this ____ been going on?
• Brittany: Morning, Doctor. Oh, I've been feeling exhausted ____ , but I just brush it off as normal work stress.
• Ryan: I see you've also experienced some unexplained ____ since we last met in spring. Have you been trying to lose weight lately?
• Ryan: Have you noticed any other symptoms, like a ____ , night sweats, or maybe an intermittent wheezing sound when you breathe?
• Ryan: Are you coughing up any ____ , or have you experienced a total loss of appetite recently?

Sources: photo by Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels