OET Writing: Referral Letter Essentials 3

Question 1

How should dates from case notes generally be expressed in the letter body?

Accepted Answer

In a consistent written format, e.g. 'on 3 June'

Answer

As raw note shorthand

Answer

Only as 'today' and 'yesterday'

Answer

Omitted always

Question 2

When several past medical conditions are stable and unrelated to the referral, the best approach is to:

Accepted Answer

Summarise them briefly as relevant background

Answer

Detail each one in a full paragraph

Answer

Ignore the entire history

Answer

Copy the notes verbatim

Question 3

Which sentence best transitions from patient background to the current presenting problem?

Accepted Answer

'Mr Jones now presents with...'

Answer

'Anyway, moving on...'

Answer

'As you know, doctors are busy...'

Answer

'In conclusion...'

Question 4

In a discharge referral to a community nurse, what is usually the central purpose?

Accepted Answer

Requesting ongoing care or monitoring after discharge

Answer

Requesting payment

Answer

Reporting the writer's shift schedule

Answer

Asking for a diagnosis the writer already made

Question 5

How should medication information be presented when relevant to the referral?

Accepted Answer

Clearly with names and doses as needed

Answer

As a vague 'some medications'

Answer

Hidden in the closing line

Answer

Only in the salutation

Question 6

If two pieces of information could go in either of two paragraphs, you should group them by:

Accepted Answer

Logical theme so each paragraph has one focus

Answer

Random order

Answer

Alphabetical order

Answer

Length of each item

Question 7

A referral letter's tone toward the recipient should be:

Accepted Answer

Professional and respectful

Answer

Casual and chatty

Answer

Apologetic and uncertain

Answer

Authoritative and commanding