Unit5 Inter Lesson1

ESL Health UnitESL Health Unit

Unit FiveUnit FiveTaking MedicationsTaking Medications

Lesson OneLesson OneManaging Your MedicationsManaging Your Medications

Reading and Writing Practice Reading and Writing Practice IntermediateIntermediate

Goals for this lesson:Below are some of the goals of this lesson. Which ones are your goals too? Check (√) them.

Discuss important questions to ask your doctor and pharmacist Identify ways to cut costs when purchasing medications Review indefinite pronouns (someone, anyone, nothing…)

Lesson One: Managing Your Medications

Reading and Writing Practice

Before You Read!

In this lesson, you will read about Lena and Youssef’s problems taking their

medications.

Activity One:

Before you read, discuss the following questions with your classmates and

teacher.

1. What kind of medications do you take regularly? Which of these are

prescription medications? Which are over the counter medications?

Prescription medications Over the counter medications

ESL Health Unit/Intermediate, Unit Five: Taking Medication

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2. If you take several kinds of medication each day, how do you

remember to take them at the right time? Do you ever forget? What

do you do if you forget to take your medication?

Before we go on: a quick review of indefinite pronouns

IndefinitefPronouns

Indefinite pronouns and adjectives are words used to refer to people or

things non-specifically rather than specifically.

Although an indefinite pronoun may refer to someone or something specific,

it refers to them in general with the notion of all, some, any, or none.

Some common indefinite pronouns are:

Singular:

another both everything nothing

any each neither one

anybody either nobody somebody

anyone everybody none someone

anything everyone no one something

Plural:ESL Health Unit/Intermediate, Unit Five: Taking Medication

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all few more much several

both many most plenty some

Examples:

singular - Somebody was supposed to pick up my prescription.

plural - Many of us are on blood pressure medicine.

Indefinite pronouns can only be classified as pronouns if they are used

alone. If they are used with a noun, then they become indefinite adjectives.

Examples:

pronoun: Both agreed that surgery was the only solution.

adjective: Both doctors agreed that surgery was the only solution.

"Both" becomes an indefinite adjective in the second


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sentence because it modifies the noun "doctors."

pronoun: Several (of the patients) are taking multiple medications.

adjective: I am taking several medications.

"Several" becomes an indefinite adjective in the second

sentence because it modifies the noun “medications"

Fill in the gaps with somebody, anybody, nobody, something, anything,

nothing, somewhere, anywhere or nowhere.


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1. I read __________ about this drug in the newspaper yesterday. They said

it can damage your heart.

2. __________ goes to the Center anymore because they started charging

for classes.

3. I’m not sure where her office is. I think it might be __________ near the

library.

4. __________ could have taken you to the pharmacy. Please ask us if

you need help!

5. __________ scares him. He's very brave.

6. There is __________ to park here. Let's go __________ else to park.

7. Would you like __________ to drink?

8. Should I be taking __________ for my indigestion?


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9. The nurse took him __________ back though that hallway about fifteen

minutes ago.

10. She doesn’t take __________ for her diabetes. She tries to manage it by

watching her diet and exercising.

11. She needs __________ to talk to. She's very lonely.

12. He is very stubborn. He got angry with his doctor and says he won’t see

him __________.

13. There isn't __________ you can do to help him. __________ can help

him.

14. We do not need __________ to help us with the house. We can do it

ourselves.

15. __________ is ringing the bell. Go and see who it is.


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16. __________ phoned while we were out, but they did not leave a

message.

17. __________ told me that __________ is going to the party .

18. They are looking for __________ that is in a nicer neighborhood. They

want to find a quiet place to lead a quiet life.

19. I will live __________ as long as it is close to my daughter

20.Is there __________ at home who can help you with this?

Health Watch: Tips to Remember and Stay on Your Medications

The first step to staying on your medication is to understand what you are


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taking and why.

• Ask your doctor what you are being treated for and how each

medicine helps.

• Know the side effects of any medications you are taking. You can find

this out by asking your doctor or pharmacist.

• Ask your doctor how your medicine works with your other

medications and the foods you eat. For example: Some medicines

work best if you take them with food, and others work best if you take

them at bedtime.

• Ask your doctor what to do if you miss a dose of medicine or have

problems with side effects. It is important that you keep your doctor

informed of how the medicine is working for you. It may be useful to

ask your doctor for help in completing a chart on all of your medicines

that includes the name of the medication, what the medication is being

taken for, when to take it, what side effects to watch for, and whom to

call if you should have a problem.

Remembering to take your medicine is important. Some ways to help

yourself remember to take your medicine could be:


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• Daily reminders are often helpful when scheduling your medication

doses. Try to time taking your medicine around activities that you do

daily such as setting your alarm clock, brushing your teeth, eating

your meals, going to work, or doing other daily activities. Once you

have the routine down it will become a habit (for example, taking your

daily meds before you brush your teeth by putting the prescription

bottle next to your toothbrush).

• Setting your watch alarm to go off when it's time to take your

medicine.

• Placing a reminder card in a visible place.

• Having a family member or a friend remind you.

• Use a medication box that will hold your entire day's supply of

medicine. This will let you know if you missed a dose of medicine.

If you have tried these tricks and still have trouble remembering your ESL Health Unit/Intermediate, Unit Five: Taking Medication

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medicine, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. It may be possible to simplify

your medication schedule or to put your medicine in special containers

called blister packs to help you.

Your Pharmacist Can Help Too

One of the most important services a pharmacist can offer is to talk to you

about your medicines. A pharmacist can help you understand how and when

to take your medicines, what side effects you might expect, or what

interactions may occur. A pharmacist can answer your questions privately in

the pharmacy or over the telephone.

Here are some other ways your pharmacist can help:

• Many pharmacists keep track of medicines on their computer. If you

buy your medicines at one store and tell your pharmacist all the over-

the-counter and prescription medicines or dietary supplements you

take, your pharmacist can help make sure your medicines don't

interact harmfully with one another.

• Ask your pharmacist to place your prescription medicines in easy-to-

open containers if you have a hard time taking off child-proof caps

and do not have young children living in or visiting your home.


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(Remember to keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of

children.)

• Your pharmacist may be able to print labels on prescription medicine

containers in larger type, if reading the medicine label is hard for you.

• Your pharmacist may be able to give you written information to help

you learn more about your medicines. This information may be

available in large type or in a language other than English. Your

pharmacist can help keep track of your medicines.

Information adapted from MedicineNet.com

Reading One - Lena’s List of Medications


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Next read Lena’s story and answer the questions that follow with your

classmates and teacher. As you are discussing your answers, notice how

and when you use indefinite articles and make sure to try to use them

correctly!

My name is Lena and I am 75 years old. Every time I go to the doctor he

puts me on something new. You can look at my medicine chest and see all

of the bottles. I got something for my eyes, blood pressure, I hurt my foot

and he gave me a pain killer. I started to get nervous and he gave me these

Paxil pills. I know he is a good doctor and he is trying to help, but it is

really hard for me to remember when to take what pills – there are so many

and sometimes I forget, did I take that pill or not today? And sometimes I

can’t even get the caps off the bottles. So I just stopped taking all of it – its

crazy all of these drugs anyway!

This story was generated by the course developer for instructional purposes.

Questions:


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1. What is Lena’s problem?

2. What has Lena decided to do about her problem?

3. Do you think this is a good solution?

4. If you were Lena, what would you do to solve this problem?

Reading Two - Youssef’s Problem


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Next read Youssef’s story and answer the questions that follow with your

classmates and teacher. Again, as you answer, notice how and when you

use indefinite articles and make sure to try to use them correctly!

My name is Youssef. The last time I counted, I think I was on six

different prescription medications plus I take an over the counter medication

to help me sleep and sometimes I take Tylenol when I get a headache. I

know that I’ve got to take my blood pressure medicine and I got one to help

me lower my cholesterol, but the rest of them I’m not sure about – and they

are really expensive – so, I only buy the ones I need the most. Also, the

directions are complicated and I have trouble reading the labels. When I am

at my doctor’s office I ask the nurse to explain but sometimes by the time I

get home I forget. Luckily, my neighbor is on some of the same medications

so he tells me what to do when I have a problem. He’s a big help.

This story was generated by the course developer for instructional purposes.

Questions:


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1. What is Youssef’s problem?

2. What is Youssef’s solution to his problem?

3. Do you think this is a good solution?

4. If you were Youssef, what would you do to solve this problem?


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Health Watch: Cutting Costs

The cost of medications is a serious concern for older people, most of whom

must pay for drugs out of pocket. Even those who have insurance to

supplement Medicare must often pay a percentage of the cost of their

medicines.

For a new prescription, don't buy a whole bottle but ask for just a few pills.

You may have side effects from the medication and have to switch. If you

buy just a few, you won't be stuck with a costly bottle of medicine you can't

take.

For ongoing conditions, buy medications in the largest quantities you can.

Do this only if you know your body tolerates them well, since it's not usually

possible to return medications.

Call around for the lowest price. Pharmacy prices can vary greatly. If you

find a drug cheaper elsewhere, ask your regular pharmacist if he or she can

match the price.

Other ways to make your prescription dollars go further include:

• Ask for a senior citizen discount.

• Ask for a generic equivalent. These non-brand substitutes are tested to

be sure they are chemically identical to the original, and they deliver

the same amount of the drug to the body in the same amount of time.

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Unit FiveUnit FiveTaking MedicationsTaking Medications


Listening and Speaking PracticeListening and Speaking Practice

IntermediateIntermediate


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Learn ways to remember and stay on your medications. Discuss important questions to ask your doctor and pharmacist Review adverbs of frequency (often, frequently, never…) Read and understand prescription and over-the-counter medication

labels

http://www.nabp.net/vipps/intro.asp

http://www.nabp.net/vipps/intro.asp

http://www.aarppharmacy.com/aarpNet/rx/rxDefault.aspx

http://www.aarppharmacy.com/aarpNet/rx/rxDefault.aspx


Listening and Speaking Practice

Before You Listen!

Activity One:

The National Council on Patient Information and Education

www.talkaboutrx.org suggests that before you leave the doctor's office with

a new prescription, you should ask the list of questions below. Read through

the list with your classmates and teachers and then discuss the questions that

follow:

• What is the name of the medicine and what is it supposed to do? Is

there a less expensive alternative?

• How and when do I take the medicine and for how long?

• Whether to take it with water, food, or with a special medicine, or at

the same time as other medicines.

• Can it be taken with over-the-counter medicines? If so, when?

• What to do if you miss or forget a dose.

• Whether you take it before, during, or after meals.


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http://www.talkaboutrx.org/

http://www.talkaboutrx.org/

• The timing between each dose. For example, does "four times a day"

mean you have to take it in the middle of the night?

• What your doctor means by "as needed."

• Are there any other special instructions to follow?

• What foods, drinks, other medicines, dietary supplements, or activities

should I avoid while taking this medicine?

• Will any tests or monitoring be required while I am taking this

medicine? Do I need to report back to the doctor?

• What are the possible side effects and what do I do if they occur?

• When should I expect the medicine to start working, and how will I

know if it is working?

• Will this new prescription work safely with the other prescription and

over-the-counter medicines or dietary supplements I am taking?

Questions:

1. When you leave the doctor’s office with a prescription for a new

medication, do you usually feel like you know enough about that

medication, what it does, how and when to take it…?

2. Think about the list above. When you talk to your doctor about a new

medication, do you usually ask these questions? Would you feel

comfortable asking these questions? Why or why not?


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Health Watch: A list of Questions for Your Pharmacist

The National Council on Patient Information and Education also suggests

that at the pharmacy, or wherever you get your medicines, you should ask

the following questions about your prescriptions:

• Do you have a patient profile form for me to fill out? Does it include

space for my over-the-counter drugs and my dietary supplements?

• Is there written information about my medicine? Ask the pharmacist if

it's available in large print or in a language other than English if you

need it.

• What is the most important thing I should know about this medicine?

Ask the pharmacist any questions that may not have been answered by

your doctor.

• Can I get a refill? If so, when?

• How and where should I store this medicine?

Information adapted from MedicineNet.com


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Listening One: Medications Counseling

**Note to teacher: Do not pass out the written message in the box below. Record it onto a cassette (if possible with someone to play the second role in the dialogue) and have students listen to the recording. Play once or twice before they begin to listen for specific information.

Now you will listen to conversation between Ramone and a pharmacist who

works at his medical center. Ramone has many questions about the

medications he is taking. Listen to suggestions that pharmacist gives

Ramone and then discuss the questions that follow with your classmates and

teacher.

Ramone: My doctor has me on so many medications right now. For me they all look alike. I’m so frustrated I’m

thinking about stopping a couple of my medications because I don’t think I need them anymore.

Pharmacist: Ramone, really you should take your medicines for thewhole time they are prescribed, even if you feel

better. If you think you no longer need a prescription medicine you are taking, ask your doctor to check how well it is working, whether you still need to take it, and, if so, whether there is anything you can do (like lowering fats in your diet or exercising more) to cut back or, in time, stop needing the medicine. Don't stop taking the medicine on your own without first talking with your doctor.

And, Ramone, its not so hard to figure out a system forbeing able to you’re your medications apart is it?

You could organize them by size, shape, color, or maybe by the container they come in. There are special containers with different colored caps and different sections for organizing your medications – maybe we could get you some of those to help you out?


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Ramone: That sounds great…but what about at night. Many of mymedications need to be taken during the night. I

get out of bed and I am groggy, I can’t see and I amsupposed to take pills like this?

Pharmacist: Do you have children or pets living with you at home?

Ramone: No.

Pharmacist: Then I suggest you place the pills you will need duringthe night on your bedside table. Turn on the light

and make sure you're taking the right medicine at the right time. You could set a loud alarm to wake yourself up at the right time – something you can’t ignore!

Ramone: And what about when I travel? I am flying out to see mydaughter’s family in a couple of weeks and I am

worried about taking my medications while I am there.

Pharmacist: Oh I know. Taking your medication is even harder when you are traveling. Make sure before you go that

you ask your doctor how to adjust your medicine schedule to account for changes in time, routine, and diet. Bring the phone numbers of your doctors and pharmacy with you in case you need to get a refill. Since you are flying, my suggestion is to make sure you take all of your medicines with you on the plane; do not pack them in your checked luggage. And always keep your medicines out of heat and direct sunlight.

Ramone: Actually, what I really hate the most about taking mypills is swallowing them. I have always had a hard

time swallowing pills but it seems to get worse as I get older. Sometimes I try to break them so they are smaller or I try to chew them but I can’t always do it and this also gets me off schedule.


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Pharmacist: Never break or chew tablets without first asking a healthprofessional about it. Not being able to swallow

pills is a really common problem. Let’s take a look at your prescriptions and see if maybe there is a liquid medicine you could use or maybe you can crush your tablets.

And, you know, if you think your schedule for yourmedications is too complicated, and you can’t keep

up with it, talk about it with your doctor. He may haveanother medicine or ideas that better fits

your lifestyle. For example, if taking medicine four times a day is a problem for you, maybe the doctor can give you a medicine you only need to take once or twice a day. The most important thing is you tell your doctor about how you are feeling - that way he can help you come up with a system that works for you!


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Activity One:

Ramone tells his pharmacist about several problems he is experiencing with

taking his medications. In the box below, write down the advice the

pharmacist gives Ramone about each problem/question.

Ramone’s Problem/Question The Pharmacist’s AdviceI’m so frustrated I’m thinking about

stopping a couple of my medications

because I don’t think I need them

anymore.Many of my medications need to be

taken during the night. I get out of

bed and I am groggy, I can’t see and

I am supposed to take pills like this?I am flying out to see my daughter’s

family in a couple of weeks and I am

worried about taking my medications

there.I have always had a hard time

swallowing pills but it seems to get

worse as I get older. Sometimes I try

to break them so they are smaller or I

try to chew them but I can’t always

do it and this also gets me off

schedule.

Talk About It!


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Before we begin, let’s review how to use adverbs of frequency when

speaking and writing English.

Adverbs of Frequency

Adverbs of Frequency answer the question "How often?" or "How

frequently?" They tell us how often somebody does something.

Adverbs of frequency come before the main verb (except the main verb "to

be"):

• We usually go shopping on Saturday.

• I have often forgotten to take my medicine.

• She is always late.

Occasionally, sometimes, often, frequently and usually can also go at the

beginning or end of a sentence:

• Sometimes I have problems swallowing my medication.

• I have problems understanding the labels occasionally.

Rarely and seldom can also go at the end of a sentence (often with "very"):


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• I talk to the doctor about my medications rarely.

• John goes to the pharmacy very seldom.

Adverbs of frequency express a continuum of meaning with “always”

meaning 100% of the time, never meaning 0% of the time and all of the

other adverbs falling in between:

Now check your understanding by filling in the gaps with the

correct adverb of frequency (there may be more than one

correct answer.)

1. My sister and I (30%) __________ go to the doctor

together.

2. Andrea (90%) __________ keeps her medications organized in color-

coded containers.

3. I (20%) __________take the time to organize my medications.


100%

50%

0%

alwaysusually

frequentlyoften

sometimesoccasionally

rarelyseldom

hardly evernever

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4. I have (0%) __________ asked my pharmacists for help managing my

medications.

5. Eleanor (40%) _________ forgets to take her medication.

Activity One:

Read the following medication labels and answer the questions that follow

with your classmates and teacher.

PRESCRIPTION LABEL ONE:________________________________CVS Pharmacy PH: 215-662-0333

3915 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104

RX: 376083 Prescriber: Dr. Judy Summers

Take one tablet twice a day.

ADALET 10 MG TABLETS

QTY 30

1 Refill

Rph. Larry Gross

Date Filled: 4/23/04


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Take with food.

May cause disorientation or dizziness. Avoid driving or

operating machinery while taking this medication.

_________________________________________

If you were prescribed this medication,

1. How many pills should you take every day?

2. How often should you take it?

3. Can you take it on an empty stomach?

4. What are the side effects?

5. What is the name of the pharmacist?

6. What is the prescription number?


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PRESCRIPTION LABEL TWO:

__________________________________________

CVS Pharmacy PH:

215-662-0333

3915 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104

RX: 376083 Prescriber: Dr. Judy Summers

Take two tablets per day, one in AM and one in PM.

LOZOL 5 MG TABLETS

QTY 25

2 Refills


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Rph. Larry Gross

Date Filled: 4/23/04

May be taken with or without food.

May cause headache.

May cause skin rash.

_______________________________________________

If you were prescribed this medication,

1. How many pills should you take every day?

2. What is the name of the medication?

3. What is the name of the pharmacist?

4. What are the side effects?

5. What is the prescription number?


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6. How many refills do you have?


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Health Watch: Understand Over-the-Counter Drug Labels

• Reading the product label is the most important part of taking care of

yourself or your family when using over-the-counter (OTC) medicines

(those that are available without a prescription). This is especially true

because you probably take OTC medicines without first seeing a

doctor.

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Discuss the following statements with your classmates and teacher. For

each one, fill in the gap with an adverb of frequency and explain why.

I ____________ ask my doctor:

• The name of the medicine she is prescribing and what it is supposed

to do

• If there is a generic equivalent that I can buy that might be cheaper.

• How and when I should take the medicine, how much to take, and for

how long.

• What food, drinks, other medicines, or activities I should avoid while

taking the medicine.

• If the medicine will interfere with other medicines I take

• What side effects the medicine may have and what to do if they occur

• If there is written information in my native language that I can take

home.

I __________:


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• Throw away expired medicines.

• Keep medicines in their original containers or in containers with

sections for daily doses (see box below).

• Stop taking medicines your doctor has prescribed when I feel better.

• Drink alcohol while on a medicine.

• Share medications with others


Unit FiveUnit FiveESL Health Unit/Intermediate, Unit Five: Taking Medication

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Taking MedicationsTaking Medications


Real Practice Real Practice IntermediateIntermediate


Real Practice!


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labels

One easy way to help you and your doctor better manage your medical

treatment is to keep an accurate, up-to-date Medicine log. Fill in the log

with each medication you take, your reason for taking it, the doctor who

prescribed the medication and any information about how long you have

taken the medication and any side effects you have experienced. Make

copies to keep at home for easy access in case of an emergency as well as to

bring to your doctor’s appointment.

Medicine Log

Prescription Medicine Log


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(make copies as needed.)

Medicine

Name/DoseColor/Shape

Reason

For

Taking

Prescribed

By

Date

Started/Stopped

Side

Effects/notes

(sample:)

Precose

50mg 3 x

day

White/round Diabetes Dr.Johnson 5/98 to presentTake at each

start of meal

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Over-The-Counter Medicine Log

(make copies as needed.) List Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs, too.

Name/DoseReason For

TakingHow Often Side Effects/Notes

(sample:) Tums

500mgGet Calcium

1 tablet 2x

DailyNone

1.

2.

3.


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4.

5.

© copyright 2001

Seniors Health@Home Online

American Institute for Preventive Medicine


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A Thematic Unit for Intermediate Level ESL Teachers

Intermediate Level, Unit Five: Taking MedicationLesson One: Managing Your Medications

Checklist for Learning

Vocabulary Log:

In the space below, write down all of the new words you learned during this lesson that you want to remember. Try to separate your list of words into nouns (person, place or thing), adjectives (describing words) and verbs (action words). For extra practice use them in sentences of your own.

New words I learned during this lesson:

Nouns:

Adjectives:

Verbs:

What can you do?

Below are some of the language goals you worked on during this lesson. Check (√) what you learned from this lesson. Add more ideas if you wish.

I learned to…


labels _________________________________________________________


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Documents

Unit5 Inter Lesson1