Critical-Thinking Questions

Answer the following questions on a separate piece of paper or discuss in a group.

1. Why is it important to tell your doctor about any medical conditions you have and all the medications you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and dietary supplements?

2. What would you say to someone who asked you for pills that were prescribed only for you?

3. At a party a friend offers you alcohol and a pill. What would you do, and why?

4. Explain why the following statement is a myth: Prescription drugs come from a doctor and a pharmacy, so they must be safe.

5. Explain why the following statement is a myth: It’s OK for me to use a prescription from the medicine cabinet that was prescribed for someone else in my family.

IV. Speaking Tasks

1. Which pharmacy items do you have in your home?

2. Which pharmacy items are good for a cold? Which are good for a cut? Which are good for a sprain? Discuss with a partner.

3. As far as you know you should follow some steps in order to treat a cut. Your task is to read the information about each step and say why we should act in exactly that way. For example: you must wash your hands while coming home because there are a lot of pathogenic bacteria which can provoke some disease.

Follow these steps to treat a cut.

1. Press gauze on the cut. Why should we do this?

2. Lift the cut above the heart. Why should we do this?

3. Clean the cut with soap and water. Then put antibacterial ointment on it. Why should we do this?

4. Cover the cut with a sterile pad and sterile tape. Why should we do this?

4. Work in pairs. Discuss with your partner pros and cons of taking antibiotics.

5. You know that accidents happen, that’s why you should keep a first-aid kit at home. Tell your groupmates about the contents of your home first-aid kit.

6. Do you know the meaning of the following slang words concerning healing means: anabolics, benny, go pill, happy pill, no-go pill, sleeping pill, roids? Try to guess their meaning and share your ideas about what they are taken for.

V. Grammar Check

Put article a (an) / the where it is necessary paying attention to highlighted in bold words and explaining your choice.

1. ___ spleenis an organ that plays a role in immunity.

2. ___ lungstransfer oxygen into the blood.

3. ___ arteries are vessels that carry blood high in oxygen content away from the heart to the farthest reaches of the body.

4. ___ lymphatic system plays an important role in immunity.

5. ___ blood is difficult to remove from clothing.

6. ___ bloodcarries oxygen to all parts of the body.

7. ___ aspirinis generally prescribed.

8. The cat ate ___aspirin that I left on the counter.

9. ___ cancerclaims many lives.

10. ___ treatment is given in the hospital.

11. Radiation is ___ common treatmentfor breast cancer, but the patient has other options as well.

12. ___ injections for diabetes are usually given subcutaneously.

13. ___ anti-inflammatory is a type of drug that reduces swelling.

14. Fever is ___ (common) symptomassociated with chicken pox.

15. ___ ingestion of certain drugs may also cause this condition.

16. ___ most obvious symptom is the rash, which appears after 10 days.

17. The patient is running ___ fever.

18. ___artery is a vessel that carries blood.

19. ___patientis generally given acetaminophen to relieve pain.

20. Breast cancer victims must have radiation treatment. ___ treatmentis given in the hospital.