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module menu icon The scenario

The scenario

Barbara Jacobs has sought out technician Vicky at the pharmacy. Noticing Barbara is a little agitated, Vicky takes her into the consultation room to sit down.

“Oh Vicky, I’m going out of my head with worry,” says Barbara, taking a seat.

“My goodness, Barbara, what’s happened?” asked Vicky, concerned.

“It’s John,” replies Barbara. “You know how he’s been having problems with his heart? Well, they’ve said he needs to have a pacemaker. But when his heart is so weak, how can he have that done? The general anaesthetic is dangerous, for a start!”

“I know a bit about this so may be able to help,” says Vicky. “Tell me, Barbara, is it just the pacemaker he is having fi tted, or are they going to do anything else at the same time?”

“I wouldn’t call it ‘just’ a pacemaker,” answers Barbara. “But in answer to your question, they haven’t said that he needs anything else done and seem ridiculously relaxed about it all. Apparently he might not even need to stay in hospital overnight!”