sixwordstories | (no subject)

[And Mars's brows rose.] I see. Your height and weight appear normal according to our intake. I'll begin with some circulation tests, then take your blood pressure and pulse rate, listen to your heart and lungs, check your reflexes, and I may ask you to go to the lab for a blood and urine test.

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Miss, I'm going to have to ask you to turn off your cell phone as the signals can disrupt some sensitive medical equipment as well as pacemakers in some of our older patients. [And that was a speech he was tired of giving.] Once you've done that, please give me your hands.

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It's no trouble. [When he had her hands, he concentrated mostly on her fingers, lightly pressing the nails and watching as the colour quickly came back.] Your circulation seems perfectly fine. You say you've never been to a clinic before. How much medical attention have you had before now?

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What is it that's happened to your fingers - I see you have pain when I press on your nails. [And now that he's noticed it, he looks more closely at that hand.]

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We may wish to X-ray that, just in case. Small fractures can easily go unnoticed. [He'd placed the folder on a nearby counter and, pulling a pen from his pocket, he wrote in an X-ray for her hand.] Now can you roll up your left sleeve for me?

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I would rather ask. [A gentle assurance. But then, he was wrapping the blood pressure cuff around her arm above her elbow, supporting her arm as he placed his stethoscope at her inner elbow, the earpieces in his ears.] I'm going to be inflating this cuff and it may get uncomfortable and tight, but that feeling will ease as I deflate it.

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[It didn't take him long. Maybe slightly more than thirty seconds and he was un-velcroing the cuff from around her arm.] Your blood pressure is a little elevated. Do you get nervous in doctor's offices?

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Stress affects blood pressure, so this can be considered an anomaly. [He still wrote down the results, as well as a note about possible 'white coat phobia'.] What is it that has you changing your current situation, if I may ask?

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If that is your situation, yes. It seems it's causing you quite a bit of distress.

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As long as you give yourself time. [He nodded.] You may want to see about finding a local group that can help you get used to your new surroundings. There are some resources in the lobby - pamphlets and some volunteers that can help you.

[He replaced the earpieces, though, and nodded to her.] I'd like to listen to your heart now. Breathe normally.

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[Her heart rate was up, he noticed and instructed her quietly.] Now take deep breaths for me. In and out...

[The instruction was repeated for each lung twice, then as he moved behind her, four times as he listened to upper and lower lungs.]

You sound clear. Next will be your reflexes. Overall, you seem healthy enough, but perhaps with a predisposition to stress. Do you watch your diet?

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...Ah, no. There's no... sparring here. [But there was a startled smile on his face.] I take this small hammer (http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/reflex-hammer.jpg) to test your reflexes, much like this.

[Mars lifted an arm and lightly struck his own elbow, a twitch following.] You see, it doesn't hurt, but there are certain pressure points at each joint. Testing your reflexes is proof that all of the nerves in your body are functioning as they should.

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I can tell. [Another faint smile and he started with her ankles.] I'd like to refer you to one of our counselors here. It seems you've been going through quite a few changes and you have a lot to adjust to. Our counselors aren't necessarily psychiatrists as much as someone to talk to. That may help lower your stress levels.

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