English - Doctor Visit

On a scale from 1 to 10, it's about ___ .

Rate pain level

Meaning: Use this to rate how bad your pain is on a simple numeric scale.

When to use: When the doctor asks how severe your pain is right now.

Tip: Giving a vague answer like "a lot" instead of a number, which makes it hard to judge severity.

I took ___, but it didn't help.

Explain an attempted treatment

Meaning: Explain what medicine or treatment you already tried and say it wasn't effective.

When to use: When the doctor asks what you have already done to treat the problem.

Tip: Using the wrong tense (e.g., "I take..." instead of "I took...") which can confuse whether it already happened.

I haven't been able to ___ because of it.

Explain how symptoms affect daily life

Meaning: Describe how your symptom stops you from doing something normal.

When to use: When explaining how the problem affects your daily life or work.

Do I need any tests?

Ask whether medical tests are needed

Meaning: Ask whether the doctor thinks you need tests to find the cause.

When to use: When you want to know whether further diagnostic steps are needed.

Should I avoid ___ ?

Ask about restrictions during recovery

Meaning: Ask about activities, foods, or things you should avoid while you recover.

When to use: When you want clear instructions about restrictions during recovery.

Tip: Asking too generally (e.g., "Should I avoid stuff?") — name the activity or food for a clear answer.

When should I come back?

Ask about follow-up timing

Meaning: Ask when you should return for a follow-up appointment.

When to use: At the end of an appointment to know the right time for follow-up.

I've noticed ___ recently.

Describe a change in symptoms over time

Meaning: Tell the doctor about a recent change in your body or symptoms.

When to use: When a new symptom or change has started and you want the doctor to know.

The pain spreads to my ___.

Describe pain moving to another area

Meaning: Explain that pain moves from one area to another.

When to use: When the location of your pain changes or travels to a different body part.

Could this be a side effect of ___?

Ask about possible medicine side effects

Meaning: Ask whether a medicine could be causing your symptom.

When to use: When symptoms start after a new medicine or treatment and you suspect a link.

Is it contagious?

Ask whether an illness can spread to other people.

Meaning: Ask whether your illness can spread to other people.

When to use: When you need to know whether to avoid contact with others or stay home.