Patient
Your preparation time is over. You can now start your role play. Don’t worry if I stop you when the time is up.
Nurse
Good morning, My name is Narso Andrew, I’m one of the nurses working in the community health center. Can I have your name for the record, please?
Patient
Good morning nurse, My name is patience patricia. You can call me patricia.
Nurse
Hi Patricia, How may I help you today?
Patient
Yes I have received a letter about my daughter’s grommet surgery. The letter mainly conveys the surgery date and the fasting requirements. However, I want to know more about it.
Nurse
Sure, It is my pleasure to explain it to you. First of all for better understanding, a grommet is a small tube that’s placed in your child’s ear during surgery. It drains fluid away and keeps the term open.
Patient
All right nurse.
Nurse
The grommets should fall out naturally within 6 to 12 months as your child’s ear gets better. The surgical preparations are similar to other surgeries. So far is it clear for you?
Patient
Yes Nurse, For a two year old child fasting for the long time is really tough. Is it quite necessary to do that?
Nurse
I appreciate your concern, but fasting can prevent unnecessary complications during surgery such as cough, gag reflexes, risk of vomiting. Talking in detail Due to anesthesia, aspiration can happen. The salt or semi-solid stomach contents may enter the airways and not let the lungs get their liquid. Stomach contents that are acidic may also burn the lungs. This may cause brain damage or even death.
Nurse
This is less likely to happen when the stomach is empty because of fasting. That is why fasting is important before surgery.
Patient
Oh I see, I wasn’t aware of it. Now I understand the importance of fasting. Nurse let me know how long my child should stay without milk and food.
Nurse
As a parent, I can understand what you are going through at the moment. Patricia, It is mandatory to avoid food and milk products 6 hours before the operation. You also need to stop clear liquids 2 hours before the surgery. Perhaps you can continue oral medication with sips of water if required.
Patient
All right Nurse, I am quite upset because my child may feel really hungry and thirsty. I don’t know how she will cope with this.
Nurse
I acknowledge your worries. As I mentioned before you can give her some clear fluids until 2 hours before the surgery.
Patient
Clear fluid. May I know what exactly you mean by clear fluid?
Nurse
Yes of course, A clear liquid diet means clear fluids that are easily digested, and leave no undigested residue in the intestinal tract. For example she can have some apple juice, but not orange juice.
Patient
All right, I got it now.
Nurse
I can assure you that during and after the operation your child will be given intravenous fluids. So she won’t feel tired.
Patient
Thank you for letting me know. Now I am feeling a bit relieved.
Nurse
All right Patricia, I would like to know whether you have given any information to your child regarding the surgery.
Patient
Oh no I haven’t talked to my child as I am not sure about it.
Nurse
It’s okay, Don’t worry I can help you. You can tell her without much complications. Just tell her that a cream will be applied to the back of her hands, and get ready for a small sharp scratch. Then she will go for a deep sleep and I’ll let her know it is not at all painful.
Patient
Sure nurse.
Nurse
Patricia, You can also convey her the benefits of the procedure. I strongly recommend you to do that.
Patient
Oh yes, Sure nurse.
Nurse
Let her know that the procedure can help your child to hear better. And it also reduces the chances of ear infections afterwards.
Patient
My child will be happy to know that.
Nurse
Definitely I can sense that. Well Patricia, do you have any other concerns?
Patient
Yes, I would like to know regarding the hospital stay and discharge.
Nurse
I am sorry to say that, I am not the authoritative person to talk about the discharge. However, I can assure you that once your child is fully recovered from anesthetic effect, she is almost ready for the discharge. And before discharge it is important she should tolerate clear liquids and light food. In addition It is mandatory that she needs to pass urine.
Nurse
I hope it is clear for you.
Patient
Yes Nurse.
Nurse
Okay, is there anything I need to answer?
Patient
No, I don’t have any more questions. I feel better about the surgery and the fasting requirements.
Nurse
Great to know that, Hope I have clarified all your doubts. Will meet you on the day of surgery.
Patient
Sure, Thank you nurse.
Nurse
You are very welcome.
Patient
That is the end of your speaking role Play. All the best.
Nurse
Thank you.
