PHRASAL VERBS FOR NURSES

PART 1 – Lead-in

Explain the meaning of the underlined phrasal verbs in your own words.
1. The nurse looked after the patient overnight.
→ _______________________________
2. The patient passed out during the examination.
→ _______________________________
3. The doctor carried out several tests.
→ _______________________________
4. We’ve completely run out of gloves.
→ _______________________________
5. The patient came down with a high fever.
→ _______________________________

PART 2 – Gap-fill: Clinical context

Complete the sentences with the correct phrasal verb in the correct form.
(look after, carry out, check in, pass out, come down with, run out of, put on, take off, wake up,
calm down)
1. Patients must __________ at reception before seeing a doctor.
2. The nurse helped the patient __________ after the operation.
3. Please __________ this hospital gown before the examination.
4. The patient __________ suddenly due to low blood pressure.
5. We are about to __________ painkillers in the ward.
6. The nurse __________ the patient until the doctor arrived.
7. The doctor will __________ several tests this afternoon.
8. The patient was anxious, so the nurse told him to __________.
9. She believes she has __________ a viral infection.
10. Please __________ your shoes before entering the room.

PART 3 – Error correction

Each sentence contains ONE mistake. Find it and correct it.
1. The nurse carried on a blood test.
→ _______________________________
2. The patient passed away during the examination.
→ _______________________________
3. We ran out from syringes last night.
→ _______________________________
4. She came down the flu last week.
→ _______________________________
5. The nurse looked the patient after.
→ _______________________________

PART 4 – Multiple choice

If a nurse calms a patient down, she:
a) ignores them
b) reassures them
c) sedates them

To carry out a procedure sounds:
a) informal
b) incorrect
c) professional

A patient who comes round:
a) loses consciousness
b) gets worse
c) regains consciousness

If staff run short of supplies, they:
a) have none left
b) have fewer than needed
c) have too many

If painkillers wear off, they:
a) become stronger
b) stop working
c) are replaced

If a nurse brings a patient around, she:
a) moves them
b) helps them regain consciousness
c) discharges them

If doctors rule out a diagnosis, they:
a) confirm it
b) exclude it
c) delay it

PART 5

A) Match the phrasal verbs with their meanings:
1. break out
2. wear off
3. rule out
4. bring around
5. follow up
6. settle down
7. pick up
8. deal with
a) regain consciousness
b) exclude as a possibility
c) check progress later
d) start suddenly (rash, infection)
e) stop having an effect
f) become calmer
g) improve or recover
h) handle a situation

B) Sentence transformation:
1. The doctor excluded a heart attack.
→ The doctor __________________ a heart attack.
2. The medication stopped working after two hours.
→ The medication __________________ after two hours.
3. The nurse helped the patient regain consciousness.
→ The nurse __________________ the patient.
4. A rash appeared suddenly on the patient’s arms.
→ A rash __________________ on the patient’s arms.
5. The nurse contacted the patient later to check progress.
→ The nurse __________________ the patient later.
6. The patient became calmer after reassurance.
→ The patient __________________ after reassurance.
7. The patient’s condition improved quickly.
→ The patient __________________ quickly.
8. The nurse handled the emergency professionally.
→ The nurse __________________ the emergency professionally.