Sample Writing Task 1: Robyn Harwood
Time allowed: 40 minutes
Today’s date: 01/11/08
You are Sonya Matthews, a registered nurse at the Mater Hospital.
Robyn Harwood is a patient in your care. Read the case notes below
and complete the writing task which follows.
Patient Details
Name: Robyn Harwood
Address: 8 Peach St, New Farm
Phone: (07) 3397 2695
Date of Birth: 4 February 1948
Social Background
Marital status: Widow. No children. Lives alone
Next of kin: Megan Mack (Niece)
Niece lives with husband in Sydney who works as software engineer
for Google Australia. Sister died recently. No other relatives.
Medical History
Diabetes Mellitus Type 2
Metformin 500mg mane
Diagnosis
Right partial rotator cuff tear
Presented to Mater hospital with pain and weakness in the right
shoulder, especially when lifting arm overhead.
Descending stairs at home and slipped, falling onto outstretched arm.
Xray and MRI showed a partial rotator cuff tear.
Orthopaedic surgeon discussed surgery. Patient prefers to try
non-surgical treatment.
Date of admission: 30-10-2008
Date of discharge: 01-11-2008
Treatment
Ibuprofen orally QID
Cortisone injections
Daily physiotherapy
Nursing Care Needs
Needs blood glucose level monitoring 4 hourly
May be elevated because of cortisone
Needs assistance with shower and housework
Orthopaedic review on 19th November
WRITING TASK
Using the information in the case notes, write a letter to the Nursing
Director Ms. Jenny Attard of the Community Home Care Agency,
requesting visits from the home care nurse.
In your letter:
Do not use note form.
Expand on the relevant case notes to explain his background
and medical history and the assistance requested.
The letter should be 15-20 lines long.
No more than the first 25 lines will be assessed.
Sample Model Letter 1: Robyn Harwood
01/11/2008
Ms. Jenny Attard
The Nursing Director
Community Home Care Agency
Brisbane
Dear Ms. Attard
Re: Ms. Robyn Harwood
DOB: 04/02/1948
I am writing to request daily home visits by the Blue Nurses to provide
care and support for this patient, a 61 year-old widow who lives on her
own.
Ms. Harwood was admitted to our hospital on the 30th of October with
a diagnosis of right rotator cuff tear following a fall while descending
stairs. Therefore, surgery has been suggested, however, she prefers
non-surgical treatment. She has received ibuprofen and cortisone as
prescribed and also daily visits by a physiotherapist.
In terms of her medical history, she suffers from type 2 diabetes
mellitus for which she is taking metformine 500mg. However,
following her discharge, she will need a regular monitoring on the
blood glucose level which may become elevated due to administration
of cortisone during hospitalisation. She will also require assistance in
showering and home help. As well as this, she needs to review her
condition with an orthopaedic surgeon on the 19th of November.
Ms. Harwood lives alone and has no children. Her next of kin is her
niece, Megan Mack who lives in Sydney. Regrettably, she has no
relatives or friends to support her.
Please contact me if you require further information regarding this
patient.
Yours sincerely,
Sonya Matthews
Registered Nurse, Mater Hospital
Word Count: 197 Words
