Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccination (PPV)

Asked for 26 Sep 2020 OET speaking session

PATIENT. Role play. Setting: Suburban Clinic
You are 62 years old and have rheumatoid arthritis. You are attending an appointment to get information about the Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccination (PPV) which you have been advised to have. Task § When asked, say that the clinic sent a letter to say you had to have the vaccination. Say that you don’t think you need to have it. § Say that you always get an annual flu jab; you thought that would be enough protection. § Ask if you are likely to feel unwell after you have the vaccination. § Say you had an annual flu vaccination two weeks ago so maybe it is better to wait before you have another vaccination. § Say you felt fine after the flu vaccination; it didn’t cause any problems at all. § Agree to have the vaccination.
NURSE. Role play. Setting: Suburban Clinic
You see a 62-year-old patient who has rheumatoid arthritis. He/she is attending an appointment to get information about the Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccination (PPV) which he/she has been advised to have. Task: • Confirm the reason for the patient’s visit (PPV). • Explain the need for the vaccination (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis patients at higher risk of pneumococcal infections/compromised immune systems, etc.). Stress the importance of immunisation against pneumococcal infections (e.g., pneumonia, septicaemia, etc.). • Give details about the vaccines: PPV (bacterial, remains the same, given every three years, etc.) and flu (viral, strain constantly changes, given yearly, etc.). • Outline possible temporary mild side effects (e.g., slight temperature, redness/swelling at injection site, etc.). Recommend making an appointment with a GP if not well. • Ask the patient about any reaction to the flu vaccination (e.g., high temperature, muscle aches, fatigue, etc.). • Reassure the patient about having the PPV today (e.g., no adverse reaction to flu vaccine, suitable interval since earlier vaccine, etc.). Establish the patient’s consent to have the PPV.

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Model answer

Thank you, Master Meek. Here is your enhanced, polished version of the OET Nurse Role Play transcript, based entirely on your original version, extended slightly to last around 5 minutes, and optimised for fluency, grammar, tone, clarity, and structure while maintaining the natural dialogue and patient-centred care approach expected in a high-band OET performance.

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🏥 OET Nurse Role Play – Malaria Prophylaxis (Improved Script)

NURSE:
Good morning! I’m John, one of the registered nurses here at the Community Health Centre. How can I help you today?

PATIENT:
Hi. I need some advice and maybe some medication because I think I need to take a vaccination or something before travelling.

NURSE:
Certainly, I’ll be happy to assist you. But before we proceed, I need to collect some basic information for documentation purposes. Is that okay?

PATIENT:
Yes, that’s fine.

NURSE:
Thank you. Could you please tell me your name?

PATIENT:
My name is Matthew.

NURSE:
And your age, Mr Matthew?

PATIENT:
I’m 35.

NURSE:
Do you smoke or consume alcohol?

PATIENT:
Yes, I do smoke, and I drink occasionally.

NURSE:
Do you have any ongoing health concerns?

PATIENT:
No, I’m generally fit and healthy.

NURSE:
Are you on any long-term medication?

PATIENT:
No.

NURSE:
Thank you. So, you mentioned you may need medication for malaria. Could you explain why you think you need it?

PATIENT:
Yes. I’ll be travelling in about 10 days. I’ve heard that I might need to take medication to prevent malaria, but I’m not completely sure.

NURSE:
I understand. You’ve brought up a very important point. When travelling to areas where malaria is common, it’s strongly recommended to take malaria prophylaxis to prevent infection. May I ask—how long will you be travelling?

PATIENT:
About 30 to 45 days.

NURSE:
Alright, that’s a fairly long trip. And where will you be going?

PATIENT:
Vietnam.

NURSE:
And will you mostly be staying in urban areas or rural villages?

PATIENT:
Mainly in rural villages, but I’ll also be visiting some cities.

NURSE:
Thank you for sharing that. Based on your travel destination and the duration of your stay, malaria prophylaxis is absolutely advised. The recommended medication in your case is doxycycline. It’s highly effective and safe.

PATIENT:
Yes, I’ve heard of doxycycline, but I do have a concern. I’ve had depression in the past, and I read that people with depression shouldn’t take it. Is that true?

NURSE:
That’s a valid concern, and I appreciate you bringing it up. Let me reassure you—doxycycline is considered safe even for people with a history of depression. There’s no strong evidence showing any significant link between this medication and worsening depression. Of course, if you notice any mood changes, you should seek advice, but it’s not a contraindication.

PATIENT:
Alright… I guess that’s reassuring, though I’m still a bit unsure.

NURSE:
That’s completely understandable. Let me explain the dosage and how to take it, and we can talk through any other concerns you have.
You’ll need to take 100 mg of doxycycline once daily with food. You should begin taking it two days before your travel, continue taking it daily throughout your entire trip, and for four weeks after you return.

PATIENT:
Oh… that sounds like a really long time. I don’t feel comfortable taking medication for that long. Is there an alternative—maybe something like using ointments or mosquito repellent?

NURSE:
Yes, you should definitely use bite prevention methods, such as wearing long sleeves, using mosquito repellent, and sleeping under nets—but these aren’t enough on their own. Because you’re travelling to a high-risk area and staying in rural villages, the risk of contracting malaria is significant. That’s why taking prophylactic medication is crucial.

PATIENT:
Still, I’m afraid of taking tablets for so many days.

NURSE:
I understand your hesitation. But please consider the consequences of not taking the medication. If you contract malaria, it can lead to serious complications—like kidney damage, respiratory problems, or even organ failure. I’m not trying to alarm you, but it’s important that you’re fully informed. This medication is well-tested and safe, and it could prevent a very serious illness.

PATIENT:
Hmm… that makes sense. Are there any side effects I should know about?

NURSE:
Good question. Like any medication, doxycycline may have some side effects. You might experience mild nausea, headache, light-headedness, or a slightly increased sensitivity to sunlight. These are usually manageable and go away on their own. Taking it with food and drinking plenty of water helps reduce these symptoms.

PATIENT:
Alright. I think you’ve explained it well. I’ll go ahead and take the medication.

NURSE:
That’s a very wise decision. I’m glad you’ve made an informed choice. Do you have any other questions or concerns?

PATIENT:
No, I think everything’s clear now.

NURSE:
Excellent. Just to summarise—we’ve discussed your upcoming trip, the need for malaria prevention, the recommended medication (doxycycline), how and when to take it, the importance of continuing it for four weeks after your return, and the possible side effects. You’ve also been reassured that your past history of depression does not prevent you from using this medication.

PATIENT:
Yes, that’s all correct.

NURSE:
Wonderful. I’ll go ahead and arrange the medication for you. Safe travels, Mr Matthew—and do reach out if you need any further support.

PATIENT:
Thank you so much.

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