Explain a suspected brain abscess to a worried parent — OSCE

Candidate instructions

You are the paediatric registrar. You have five minutes to speak with Mrs Tan, whose nine-year-old son Aiden was admitted an hour ago with a week of headache and fever and new confusion. His scan shows a brain abscess — a collection of pus in his brain — and the neurosurgeons are preparing him for a small operation to drain it. She is frightened and has a lot of questions. Explain what is happening in plain language, be honest about the seriousness, explain the operation and the antibiotics, and help her understand the recovery and follow-up without overpromising. Answer her questions, check her understanding, and agree a plan with her. ^[1]