OET Nursing case studies

OET Nursing · Put your knowledge to work in context.

OET Nursing is the nursing-specific version of the Occupational English Test, an English language test designed for healthcare professionals rather than for general academic or immigration candidates. The test is built around clinical communication: the listening and reading sections use healthcare scenarios, the writing task is a referral-style letter, and the speaking section is a simulated consultation with a patient or carer. The OET Nursing case studies are 5 cases and about 2,959 words.

Post-operative handover: low urine output and PCA

You are the night nurse on a 28-bed surgical ward. At 19:40 you receive a telephone handover from the recovery nurse about Mr Alan Whitcombe, 68, day 1 after an open right hemicolectomy.

549 words, about 3 min 2

Discharge medication conflict: warfarin, aspirin, and a fall

You are a practice nurse in a GP surgery. You are reading a hospital discharge summary for Mrs Eileen Park, 74, who was admitted after a fall at home with a laceration to her forehead.

629 words, about 3 min 3

Urgent aged care referral after hip replacement

You are the discharge coordinator for an orthopaedic ward. Mrs Doris Nkemelu, 82, was admitted 8 days ago after a fall at home.

572 words, about 3 min 4

Newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes: needle fear and wanting to go home

You are the diabetes nurse on an adolescent ward. Mr Callum Reid, 19, was admitted 2 days ago with diabetic ketoacidosis.

621 words, about 3 min 5

Ward round conflict: discharge, mobility, and a booked transport

You are a nurse on an orthopaedic ward. During the morning ward round, the consultant says to the team, “Mrs Bello can go home tomorrow if she’s mobilising.” Later, the physiotherapist tells you, “She’s not safe on the frame yet; she needs a second person and a slide sheet, and her blood pressure dropped to 88/50 when she stood this morning.” The discharge coordinator has already booked hospital transport for 10:00 tomorrow, and the family has taken a day off work.

588 words, about 3 min