Doctor / Patient Dialog

Instructions: The doctors questions are in the correct order; however the patients responses are mixed up. Match the patients
responses to the doctors questions. There is a blank after each question where you can put your choice.
Also carefully review any new vocabulary.
Doctor
1. Good morning Mr. Smith. How can I help you today?

Patient
a) About five days ago, it was really very noticeable. That

_____

was when I decided to come to you and have it checked

2.

Can you point to the area youre talking about? _____

out.

3.

Tell me a little more about it; when did you first notice it?

b) Certainly.

_____

c) At its worst, it feels like a deep, intense, dull, ache.

Why did you wait such a long time before coming to see

d) Hi Dr. Jones. I think it is probably nothing, but I have

4.

me? _____

noticed a strange pain under the right side of my jaw.

5.

So it feels like a pulled muscle to you. _____

e) I first noticed it about 6 months ago.

6.

What about at other times, what does it feel like then?

f) I went about six months ago.

_____

g) Im right handed.

7.

How would you assess the pain today? _____

h) It feels like it is in the bone of my jaw, there is just

8.

Can you describe the character of the pain when the pain is

something about it that doesnt quite feel like a pulled

more intense? _____

muscle; I cant describe it exactly.

9.

When was the last time the pain was intense? _____

i) It seems to be stomach crunches and a special exercise

10. Is the pain on only one side of your neck? _____

where I lie on a bench on my back with my head

11. Does the pain radiate? _____

extending over the edge of the bench. Then I gently

12. Can you tell me what exercises you do that makes the pain

hyperextend my neck and then flex it, bringing my chin to

worse? _____
13. Well there is no question that either or both of those
exercises could cause a muscle strain. Although, I would

my chest.
j) Yes; she removed an old filling and replaced it with a new
filling.

expect the strain to be on both sides of your neck.

k) It was a molar on the lower left side.

However, it is possible that you are doing the exercises in

l) Its here, in this area.

an asymmetrical fashion, which is straining the muscles on

m) Today it is mild; just barely noticeable.

the right side of your neck. Tell me, are you right or left

n) Well partly I waited because the pain seems to come and

handed? _____
14. You said that it sometimes feels like it is in your jaw bone;
when was the last time you went to the dentist? _____

go. There are long periods of time when the pain is either
gone all together or is very mild. Then there are other
times when it is moderate. To tell you the truth, I really

15. Did the dentist X-ray your teeth? _____

thought it was a muscle strain, and I was just reinjuring it

16. And did you have any dental work done? _____

each time I went to the gym.

17. Do you remember which tooth and on which side? _____

o) Yes, at times it feels like a pulled muscle.

18. Well, if there was a problem with the jaw bone itself, I

p) Yes, its only on the right side.

think it would have shown up on your dental X-rays. I

guess its time that I take a closer look at your neck. Would
you mind having a seat on the end of the examination
table? _____

q) Yes. It was my first visit to her and she did a complete

dental exam.
r) Most of the time the pain seems to be in the muscles under
my jaw, but there are times when it feels like ache covers
an area about the size of my hand; extending from just in
front of my ear, along my entire jaw to the underside of
my chin.