OET Writing practice · Nursing
Stroke patient transfer – rehabilitation unit manager
An original practice task written by LetterScore AI. Read the case notes in 5 minutes, then write your transfer letter in 40 minutes, about 180–200 words in the body.
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Case notes
NURSING — WRITING TASK (practice) Time allowed: Reading time 5 minutes, Writing time 40 minutes Read the case notes below and complete the writing task which follows. Notes: Today's date: 15/09/2026 Patient: Mr Hamid Karimi, DOB 17/07/1955 (71 yrs) Acute Stroke Unit, Lakeside Regional Hospital, Lakeside Admission date: 01/09/2026 Transfer date: 15/09/2026 Social background: - Born in Iran, moved here 1998. First language Farsi; good English before stroke - Lives with wife (Leila, 68) in 2-storey house; bedroom and bathroom upstairs - Retired civil engineer. Enjoys chess and backgammon - Ex-smoker (quit 2010). No alcohol - Muslim; prefers halal meals. Daughter (Nasrin, 40, pharmacist) visits daily Medical history: - Hypertension (15 yrs) - Hypercholesterolaemia - Benign prostatic hyperplasia, tamsulosin 400 mcg nocte - L cataract extraction 2022 - Before admission: independent with all ADLs, still driving - NKDA Nursing management and progress: 01/09 Admitted via ED: sudden R arm and leg weakness, slurred speech, onset 2 hrs prior. CT/CTA: L middle cerebral artery (MCA) ischaemic stroke. Thrombolysis given. NIHSS 12 02/09 NIHSS 9. Speech pathology: dysphagia → nil by mouth, NG tube feeding 04/09 Irregular pulse → ECG: new atrial fibrillation 05/09 Repeat swallow assessment: soft diet, mildly thick fluids. NG tube removed 06/09 CT: no haemorrhage → apixaban 5 mg BD commenced 07/09 Urinary retention (residual 650 mL) → IDC inserted 08/09 Low mood, tearful, refusing physio at times. Wife: pt "not himself" 10/09 Trial of void successful; residual < 100 mL. IDC removed 11/09 R arm power 1/5; R leg power 3/5. Transfers: assist of 2 → now assist of 1 - Expressive dysphasia; comprehension good. Communicates with picture board 12/09 Skin intact. Waterlow score 18 (high risk) → 2-hrly repositioning - R shoulder pain → arm supported on pillow/lap tray; avoid pulling on arm (subluxation risk) 13/09 Psychology review: post-stroke depression → sertraline 50 mg daily 14/09 Bowels regular. Eating approx. 75% of meals with set-up and supervision. Coughing with thin fluids when unsupervised (visitor gave water) - Pt enjoyed backgammon with daughter, used L hand 15/09 BP 138/82. Medically stable for rehabilitation Medications on transfer: - Apixaban 5 mg BD - Atorvastatin 80 mg nocte - Perindopril 5 mg daily - Sertraline 50 mg daily (new) - Tamsulosin 400 mcg nocte - Paracetamol 1 g QID PRN (R shoulder pain) Transfer plan: - Intensive rehabilitation: physio, OT, speech pathology (dysphagia and dysphasia) - Soft diet, mildly thick fluids; supervised meals, sit upright - Pressure injury prevention - Monitor mood; psychology follow-up - Stroke clinic review in 6 weeks - Family meeting re home modifications before discharge Writing Task: Using the information in the case notes, write a letter to Ms Fiona McAllister, Nurse Unit Manager, Greenfields Rehabilitation Unit, 40 Beacon Road, Lakeside, who will be responsible for Mr Karimi's nursing care during rehabilitation. In your answer: - Expand the relevant notes into complete sentences - Do not use note form - Use letter format The body of the letter should be approximately 180–200 words.
How to approach this transfer letter
- The reader is about to receive the patient. Open with the transfer, the reason for it and when it happens.
- Focus on current condition, care needs, medications and anything still pending, so the receiving team can plan from day one.
- Hospital-stay detail matters only where it changes ongoing care.
Members also get the model answer, the note-selection table and task-specific tips for this task.