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Clarifying Medication Instructions

A customer has purchased a medication and needs clarification on how to take it, including frequency, whether to take it with food, and what to do if a dose is missed.

Dialogue

Listen and follow along with the conversation

1
Sarah (Female)
Excuse me, I just bought this cold and flu medication, but I'm a bit confused about the instructions. Could you help clarify?
2
James (Male)
Certainly, Sarah. Let me take a look. What specifically are you unsure about?
3
Sarah (Female)
First, the frequency. It says 'take every 4-6 hours'. Does that mean I should set an alarm, or just take it when I feel my symptoms returning?
4
James (Male)
It means you shouldn't exceed the maximum dosage; aim for around every 4-6 hours while you're awake, but don't wake up to take it. And ensure you don't take more than four doses in 24 hours.
5
Sarah (Female)
Okay, that makes sense. And speaking of food, should this be taken with food, or on an empty stomach?
6
James (Male)
It's generally recommended to take it with food or milk to avoid stomach upset. A small snack is fine if you don't want a full meal.
7
Sarah (Female)
Good to know. And what if I accidentally miss a dose? Should I double up on the next one?
8
James (Male)
No, never double up. Just take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it's almost time for your next scheduled dose. In that case, just skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule. If you have any other concerns, don't hesitate to give us a call.
9
Sarah (Female)
Thank you so much, James. That really clarifies things for me. I appreciate your help!
10
James (Male)
You're very welcome, Sarah. Feel better soon!

Vocabulary

Essential words and phrases from the dialogue

medication

A medicine or drug that you take to treat an illness, like a pill for cold and flu.

instructions

Directions or guidelines on how to use something correctly, such as how to take a medicine.

frequency

How often something happens or should be done, like taking medicine every few hours.

dosage

The amount of medicine you should take at one time, often specified on the label.

exceed

To go beyond a limit, like taking more medicine than recommended, which can be dangerous.

stomach upset

Discomfort or pain in your stomach, often caused by taking medicine without food.

empty stomach

When you haven't eaten for a while, so your stomach has no food in it.

double up

To take twice as much of something, like medicine, which is usually not advised.

skip

To miss or ignore something, like skipping a dose of medicine and not taking it.

scheduled

Planned or set at a specific time, like your next dose of medicine.

Key Sentences

Important phrases to remember and practice

Could you help clarify?

This is a polite way to ask for explanation or more details. Use it when you're confused about instructions. It uses 'could' for politeness and 'clarify' means to make something clear.

What specifically are you unsure about?

This question asks for exact details about confusion. 'Specifically' means in particular, and 'unsure' means not certain. Useful in conversations to get more information.

It means you shouldn't exceed the maximum dosage.

This explains a rule about limits. 'Shouldn't' means 'should not' for advice, 'exceed' means go over, and 'dosage' is the amount. Good for giving or understanding warnings.

Should this be taken with food, or on an empty stomach?

This is a choice question using 'or' to ask about options. 'Taken with food' means during a meal, 'empty stomach' means without eating. Use it for medical advice questions.

It's generally recommended to take it with food or milk to avoid stomach upset.

This gives advice using 'generally recommended' for common suggestions. 'To avoid' explains the reason. Helpful for explaining why to do something in health contexts.

No, never double up.

A strong warning using 'never' for absolute prohibition. 'Double up' means take extra. Use short sentences like this for clear, urgent advice.

Just take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it's almost time for your next scheduled dose.

This instructs what to do if forgetting, with 'unless' for an exception. 'As soon as' means immediately. Useful for conditional instructions in daily routines.

If you have any other concerns, don't hesitate to give us a call.

This offers further help using 'don't hesitate' meaning don't wait. 'Concerns' means worries. A polite way to encourage contact in service situations.

Thank you so much... I appreciate your help!

A grateful response. 'So much' emphasizes thanks, 'appreciate' means value. Use at the end of helpful conversations to show politeness.