Functions of the body
A health professional will often have to investigate presenting complaints by asking questions related to the functions of the body. The five senses are smell, taste, sight, hearing, and touch.
Objectives:
- Ask questions pertaining to the senses
- Ask questions about bodily functions to investigate patient complaints
Preparation activity
What do you know about this topic in English?
Label the following complaints with the correct body function.
-
I have numbness in my fingers.
TasteSightHearingTouchSpeechMobilityRespirationUrinationDefecationMenstruationSweating -
I have to turn up the volume on the television.
TasteSightHearingTouchSpeechMobilityRespirationUrinationDefecationMenstruationSweating -
Everything I eat has no flavor. I use a lot of salt.
Taste
SightHearingTouchSpeechMobilityRespirationUrinationDefecationMenstruationSweating -
I am short of breath when I climb stairs.
TasteSightHearingTouchSpeechMobilityRespirationUrinationDefecationMenstruationSweating -
I am not able to pass stools.
TasteSightHearingTouchSpeechMobilityRespirationUrinationDefecationMenstruationSweating -
I am having abnormal periods.
TasteSightHearingTouchSpeechMobilityRespirationUrinationDefecationMenstruationSweating -
There are halos around the lights at night.
TasteSightHearingTouchSpeechMobilityRespirationUrinationDefecationMenstruationSweating -
When I sneeze, I wet my pants.
TasteSightHearingTouchSpeechMobilityRespirationUrinationDefecationMenstruationSweating -
I stutter and cannot enunciate clearly.
TasteSightHearingTouchSpeechMobilityRespirationUrinationDefecationMenstruationSweating -
I have to change my clothing several times during the day.
TasteSightHearingTouchSpeechMobilityRespirationUrinationDefecationMenstruationSweating -
I have some trouble getting around.
TasteSightHearingTouchSpeechMobilityRespirationUrinationDefecationMenstruationSweating
Listen and repeat
Listen to the following examples and practice repeating the phrases.
Expressions and Examples: Body Functions
Asking about the 5 senses
How is your appetite?
Can you eat solid food?
Do you have any trouble swallowing?
Is your hearing normal?
How is your eyesight?
Have you noticed any numbness in your fingers?
Asking about speech, mobility, respiration
How is your sense of balance?
Do you have any trouble getting around?
Do you have trouble walking?
Do you have any difficulties with your speech?
Are you having breathing difficulties, inhaling or exhaling?
Asking about urination, defecation, and menstruation
Do you have difficulty passing water?
Do you have any pain when you pass stools?
When was your last period?
Let’s Listen: Podcast
In this podcast, a wife has brought her husband to the emergency room.