The candidate card
Setting
Urology outpatient clinic
Candidate
In this original independent practice role-play, you are an outpatient urology nurse seeing Mr Akwesi Oppong, aged 60. Following his second kidney stone episode six weeks ago, the urologist has requested one 24-hour urine collection to investigate factors contributing to his stones; he feels well, has not started collecting and proposes collecting only outside his driving shifts. For this case, the supplied laboratory instructions specify: empty the bladder into the toilet on waking and record the start date and time; collect all subsequent urine throughout the day and night using a clean, dry plastic jug and transfer it carefully into the supplied collection container; exactly 24 hours after starting, empty the bladder again and include this final urine, then record the finish date and time; keep the container cool and tightly closed, complete the identity label and return it with the request form promptly; if any urine is missed or spilled, stop and contact the laboratory for a fresh container and restart instructions rather than submitting an incomplete collection. You can telephone the laboratory with him today to clarify kit handling, storage, return arrangements and replacement supplies before he starts; no special dietary or medicine changes are documented, and any questions about these must be checked with the laboratory or prescriber.
Task (interlocutor: patient)
- Find out what Mr Oppong understands about the collection, what he intends to collect and how his work could make it difficult.
- Explain the purpose of a complete timed collection and talk him through the supplied instructions in manageable steps.
- Acknowledge his work pressures and address his belief that a partial collection will be sufficient, without blaming him.
- Agree a practical collection plan, offer to contact the laboratory together about outstanding arrangements and check his understanding.
In the test you get 3 minutes to read the card and plan, then about 5 minutes to talk. This card is original, written for this site; the interlocutor's card is not shown.
Prepare this card, then say it out loud.
Plan your opening and the tasks below. Keep these notes when you move to the AI role-play.
In this original independent practice role-play, you are an outpatient urology nurse seeing Mr Akwesi Oppong, aged 60. Following his second kidney stone episode six weeks ago, the urologist has requested one 24-hour urine collection to investigate factors contributing to his stones; he feels well, has not started collecting and proposes collecting only outside his driving shifts. For this case, the supplied laboratory instructions specify: empty the bladder into the toilet on waking and record the start date and time; collect all subsequent urine throughout the day and night using a clean, dry plastic jug and transfer it carefully into the supplied collection container; exactly 24 hours after starting, empty the bladder again and include this final urine, then record the finish date and time; keep the container cool and tightly closed, complete the identity label and return it with the request form promptly; if any urine is missed or spilled, stop and contact the laboratory for a fresh container and restart instructions rather than submitting an incomplete collection. You can telephone the laboratory with him today to clarify kit handling, storage, return arrangements and replacement supplies before he starts; no special dietary or medicine changes are documented, and any questions about these must be checked with the laboratory or prescriber.
Getting your plan ready…
Preparation is free without an account. AI conversation and marking need sign-in; your first role-play is free. Notes are saved on this device when available. This checklist is your plan, not a score.
How to approach this card
- Explore whether feeling well affects his understanding of why the collection was requested, without assuming that it does. Ask what he thinks the sample will show and which parts of a driving shift would make collecting difficult.
- Address his proposed partial collection before discussing equipment: otherwise, he may understand the technique but still omit working hours. Explain that the request concerns a complete timed collection to investigate contributing factors, and acknowledge the difficulty without suggesting carelessness.
- Present the timing instructions as a clear beginning, collection period and ending, pausing between stages. Highlight the different treatment of the first and final bladder emptying; this distinction deserves more attention than a rapid recital of every instruction.
- Turn work pressures into a planning discussion by asking him to identify a feasible collection period. Before he commits, offer the joint laboratory call to resolve all outstanding kit handling, storage, return and replacement arrangements; avoid inventing workplace solutions.
- Close with him describing his chosen timing and how the collection fits his shifts, then check understanding of all supplied instructions. If time is short, prioritise completeness and interruption handling over further discussion of stones; leave unresolved arrangements clearly identified.
Model route: what a strong candidate might say
Example lines in a workable order for about 5 minutes: opening, key questions, the patient's concern, explaining, then the close. Use them to plan, not to memorise: the patient's replies are not scripted here, and your next line should follow what they actually say.
1. Opening
- “Hello Mr Oppong, I'm one of the urology nurses. I'd like to go through the urine collection the urologist has requested and make a plan that works for you.”
- “What have you been told so far about this test?”
2. Key questions
- “What do you understand the collection is for?”
- “What are you thinking of collecting, and when would you start?”
- “How might your driving shifts make the collection difficult?”
- “Which days or times could you realistically manage?”
3. Handling the patient's concern
Likely concern: Likely to think a partial collection, only outside driving shifts, will be enough.
- “I can see why fitting this around shifts needs thought, and you've done nothing wrong. The instructions say an incomplete collection shouldn't be submitted, so let's find a way to do it fully.”
- “The test needs all of your urine over a timed 24 hours to look at factors contributing to your stones, so let's choose a start time you can fully manage.”
4. Explaining
- “First, empty your bladder into the toilet when you wake and note the date and time. Then collect all urine, day and night, in a clean, dry plastic jug and carefully pour it into the container.”
- “Exactly 24 hours later, empty your bladder again, include that urine, note the finish time. Keep it cool and tightly closed, label it, return it promptly with the form. If urine is missed or spilled, stop and call the lab.”
5. Closing
- “So we're aiming for one full 24-hour collection, starting at a time you can complete. I'll phone the laboratory with you now about kit handling, storage, return and replacement supplies.”
- “If any urine is missed or spilled, stop and call the lab for a fresh container and restart instructions. Can you run me through the steps in your own words?”
Phrases to adapt
Use your own words; these show the register, not lines to memorise.
- I can see why fitting this around driving shifts needs some thought.
- Feeling well may make this request seem puzzling.
- Which part would you like me to explain differently?
- Would having the laboratory on the phone help settle the practical details?
Medical words in plain English
| Term | How you might say it to the patient |
|---|---|
| 24-hour urine collection | Collecting all your urine over a full day and night, with a recorded start and finish. |
| urologist | A specialist doctor who treats problems involving the urinary system. |
| request form | The form telling the laboratory which test your doctor has requested. |
How this card is marked
Two assessors mark the recording on nine criteria: intelligibility, fluency, appropriateness of language and resources of grammar and expression (each 0–6), then relationship building, understanding and incorporating the patient's perspective, providing structure, information gathering and information giving (each 0–3). See the AI Speaking practice guide for what each criterion looks for.
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Questions about this role-play
How can I explain the exact collection sequence clearly?
On waking, empty the bladder into the toilet and record the start date and time. Collect all subsequent urine, day and night, using a clean, dry plastic jug and transfer it carefully into the supplied container. Exactly 24 hours after starting, empty the bladder again, include this final urine, and record the finish date and time.
What instructions cover missed urine and handling the completed container?
Any missed or spilled urine means stopping and contacting the laboratory for a fresh container and restart instructions; an incomplete collection should not be submitted. Keep the container cool and tightly closed. Complete the identity label and return it promptly with the request form. Check uncertain handling, storage or return details with the laboratory before starting.
What should I say if he asks about changing food or medicines?
No special dietary or medicine changes are documented, so avoid supplying restrictions or advising him to stop treatment. Identify his specific question and check it with the laboratory or prescriber. Use the offered laboratory call to clarify preparation questions before collection begins.
What if he asks about diet or medicines during the collection?
Say honestly that no changes are documented, and that any question about diet or medicines must be checked with the laboratory or prescriber. Offer to ask during the phone call, and write the answer down for him.
What if he says he is too busy to wait for the phone call?
Acknowledge the time pressure and keep the call short, focused on the outstanding practical points: kit handling, storage, return and replacement supplies. Explain that settling them today means he can start without having to guess.
Sources
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