Lesson 9 – OET Reading Part A: Medication Instructions & Side Effects

Read the extracts and fill in the table within 5 minutes.

Extract 1 – Prescription Label (Amoxicillin)

This prescription is for Amoxicillin 500 mg tablets, which the patient has been advised to take one tablet three times daily. The tablets must be swallowed whole with water and the full course should be completed over a period of seven days. The label highlights some possible side effects, which include rash, nausea, and diarrhoea. There is also a specific safety warning: if the patient develops a rash or swelling, they should stop the medication immediately, as this may indicate an allergic reaction.

Extract 2 – Patient Information Leaflet (Cough Syrup: DrowsyLyn)

The patient information leaflet for DrowsyLyn Cough Syrup (100 ml) provides detailed instructions for safe use. For adults, the recommended dose is 10 ml every six hours, while for children between the ages of six and twelve, the advised dose is 5 ml every eight hours. The syrup should always be taken with food, and patients must ensure they do not exceed a total of 40 ml in 24 hours. Reported side effects of this medication include drowsiness, a dry mouth, and dizziness. The warnings section is clear: patients should not drive or operate heavy machinery while taking the syrup, as it may cause excessive sleepiness. Furthermore, it is not suitable for children under six years of age.

Extract 3 – GP Notes (Mr. White, 60 years)

Mr. White, a 60-year-old patient, has been taking Atenolol 50 mg once daily to manage his hypertension. Since beginning this treatment, he has reported episodes of dizziness and has experienced two separate fainting incidents. Importantly, he has not reported any rash or nausea. In light of these side effects, the GP has advised him to stop taking the medication until a full review can be carried out. He has therefore been referred to a cardiologist for further assessment and management of his condition.

Extract 4 – Discharge Summary (Ms. Khan, 45 years)

Ms. Khan, a 45-year-old woman, was admitted with a skin infection and has now been discharged with a prescription for Fluconazole 150 mg capsules. She has been instructed to take one capsule weekly, swallowing it with water. The medication can be taken with or without food, depending on her preference. The discharge notes mention several common side effects, including nausea, stomach pain, and headache. Patients are advised to avoid alcohol while taking Fluconazole, as this can increase the risk of stomach upset and other complications. Additionally, if Ms. Khan develops severe abdominal pain, she must report this immediately to her healthcare provider. A follow-up appointment with her GP in two weeks has been arranged to monitor her recovery and the effectiveness of the treatment.

Answer the questions

Complete the 18-question OET Reading Part A mock below in 12 minutes.

Part A Mock – 18 Questions (use Extracts 1–4)

Q1–4 (Fill-in-the-blank)
1) The dosage for Amoxicillin is ______ mg, taken three times daily.
2) The maximum daily amount of DrowsyLyn for adults is ______ ml.
3) Atenolol was prescribed for ______.
4) Fluconazole capsules should be taken ______ (with/without food).

Q5–8 (Matching) — Match each with the correct side effect:
A. Amoxicillin   B. DrowsyLyn   C. Atenolol   D. Fluconazole
5) Causes drowsiness → ___
6) May cause rash → ___
7) Associated with fainting → ___
8) Linked with stomach pain → ___

Q9–12 (Short Answer)
9) What should a patient do if they develop a rash while on Amoxicillin?
10) Which medication is unsuitable for children under 6?
11) Which drug requires referral to a cardiologist?
12) What follow-up is recommended after Fluconazole treatment?

Q13–16 (Sentence Completion)
13) Patients taking DrowsyLyn must not ______.
14) The duration of Amoxicillin treatment is ______.
15) Ms. Khan should avoid ______ while on Fluconazole.
16) Atenolol was stopped because the patient had ______.

Q17–18 (Critical Scan)
17) Which medication is taken weekly?
18) Which extract includes the instruction to “swallow whole with water”?

Answer Key

• Table Fill (model answers)
  Amoxicillin — 500 mg | tds (3×/day) | Rash, nausea, diarrhoea | Stop if rash/swelling
  DrowsyLyn — 10 ml adult dose | q6h | Drowsiness, dry mouth, dizziness | No driving; not <6yo; max 40 ml/day
  Atenolol — 50 mg | od (daily) | Dizziness, fainting | Stop; refer to Cardiology
  Fluconazole — 150 mg | weekly | Nausea, stomach pain, headache | Avoid alcohol; report severe pain; GP review 2 weeks
• Mock Qs: 1) 500   2) 40   3) Hypertension   4) With or without food   5) B   6) A   7) C   8) D   9) Stop immediately (possible allergy)   10) DrowsyLyn   11) Atenolol   12) GP review in 2 weeks   13) Drive or operate machinery   14) 7 days   15) Alcohol   16) Fainting episodes   17) Fluconazole   18) Amoxicillin

Writing Language Focus (7–8 minutes)

Using your answers, write two sentences:

• Condition → Outcome: “The patient developed dizziness after commencing atenolol 50 mg od.”
• Recommendation: “Referral to Cardiology is recommended due to recurrent fainting.”

What did you learn?

• Which scanning strategy saved you the most time today?
• Give one reading detail and turn it into a Writing-style sentence (Condition→Outcome or Recommendation).

📝 OET Reading Part A – Homework Practice (Set 2)

Theme: Medication Instructions & Side Effects
Time: 15 minutes
Task: Read the extracts carefully and answer all 20 questions.

🔎 Extracts

Extract 1 – Prescription Label (Ibuprofen 400 mg tablets)

This prescription is for Ibuprofen 400 mg tablets. The patient should take one tablet every 8 hours when required for pain, but no more than three tablets in 24 hours. The tablets should be swallowed with food to reduce stomach irritation. Common side effects include indigestion, stomach discomfort, and nausea. Patients are warned not to take the medicine on an empty stomach and to seek advice if they notice black stools or severe stomach pain.

Extract 2 – Patient Information Leaflet (Antihistamine: Cetirizine 10 mg)

The leaflet explains that Cetirizine 10 mg tablets are used to treat hay fever and allergies. The recommended dose for adults and children over 12 is one tablet once daily, preferably in the evening. For children aged 6–12, the dose is 5 mg twice daily. Reported side effects include drowsiness, dry mouth, and fatigue. The warnings advise patients not to exceed the stated dose, and those who feel sleepy should avoid driving or operating machinery.

Extract 3 – GP Notes (Mr. Ahmed, 55 years)

Mr. Ahmed, aged 55, has been on Metformin 500 mg twice daily for type 2 diabetes. At his recent consultation, he reported experiencing diarrhoea and mild abdominal cramps since starting the medication. He has not experienced nausea or vomiting. He was advised to continue the medication with meals to minimise stomach upset. The GP noted that if symptoms persist, the dosage may need to be adjusted and a referral to the Diabetes Specialist Nurse may be required.

Extract 4 – Discharge Summary (Ms. Li, 38 years)

Ms. Li, a 38-year-old patient, was admitted with a urinary tract infection and treated with Ciprofloxacin 500 mg tablets. On discharge, she was advised to take one tablet every 12 hours for 5 days. The notes specify that the tablets should be swallowed with plenty of water. Possible side effects include nausea, headache, and dizziness. Patients are warned to avoid excessive sunlight or tanning beds while taking the medication, as it may cause skin sensitivity. A follow-up with her GP was arranged after the course is completed.

📖 Questions (20 items)

A. Matching (Q1–6)

Match the correct extract (1–4) to each detail.

1. Advises patients to avoid excessive sun exposure → ___
2. May cause diarrhoea and abdominal cramps → ___
3. Taken once daily in the evening for adults → ___
4. Warns about black stools as a possible complication → ___
5. Dosage may need adjusting and referral to specialist → ___
6. Maximum of three tablets in 24 hours → ___

B. Short Answer (Q7–10)

Answer in one to three words.

7. What condition is Cetirizine mainly used to treat?
8. For how many days should Ms. Li take Ciprofloxacin?
9. What specialist may Mr. Ahmed be referred to?
10. What is the total daily dose of Metformin?

C. Sentence Completion (Q11–16)

Use words from the extracts.

11. Ibuprofen should be taken with ______ to reduce stomach irritation.
12. Common side effects of Cetirizine include drowsiness, dry mouth, and ______.
13. Patients on Metformin are advised to continue taking it with ______.
14. Ms. Li’s Ciprofloxacin tablets must be swallowed with plenty of ______.
15. Patients who feel sleepy while taking Cetirizine should avoid ______.
16. Severe abdominal pain or black stools may indicate a complication from ______.

D. Table Completion (Q17–20)

Complete the missing details.

✅ Answer Key

Matching (Q1–6):

1. Extract 4 2) Extract 3 3) Extract 2 4) Extract 1 5) Extract 3 6) Extract 1

Short Answer (Q7–10):
7) Hay fever / allergies 8) 5 days 9) Diabetes Specialist Nurse 10) 1000 mg (500 mg × 2)

Sentence Completion (Q11–16):
11) Food 12) Fatigue 13) Meals 14) Water 15) Driving or operating machinery 16) Ibuprofen

Table Completion (Q17–20):