You are the ST4 in resus at a UK ED. Mr John Jones (65) was brought in 70 minutes ago after a witnessed VF arrest while shopping in a supermarket. Bystander CPR began within 60 seconds, paramedics shocked four times and gave adrenaline + amiodarone, and on arrival you ran a further 25 minutes of ALS. There was no sustained ROSC, and after team discussion resuscitation was stopped at 14:35. His wife Mrs Margaret Jones (62) has just been brought to the quiet room by the ED bereavement nurse; she has been told only that John is "very unwell".
Background: John was previously well, on no regular medication, had no known cardiac history and had not seen his GP for several years. Margaret had mentioned to the nurse that he had been "under a lot of stress" at work. Death will be reported to the coroner because it was sudden and unexplained; HM Coroner will almost certainly request a post-mortem and the body cannot be released or viewed until the coroner agrees, although a brief supervised viewing on the trolley is usually permitted. A bereavement pack, coroner's officer follow-up, and Cruse signposting are available via the ED bereavement nurse.
Margaret is sitting in the quiet room with a member of the bereavement team. The examiner is silent and observes throughout; an actor plays the role of Mrs Margaret Jones. You have 8 minutes to speak with Margaret. The examiner will not prompt you.
No equipment notes provided.
Opening line:
Stands up when the doctor enters. "Doctor, please - what's happening with John? They said he'd collapsed at the supermarket. Is he going to be alright? Can I see him?"
Character: Mrs Margaret Jones, 62, wife of the deceased Mr John Jones (65)
Hidden concern: Profound guilt that she did not push harder for him to see the GP, and fear that he was in pain or frightened at the end. Underneath that, terror about being alone, telling their son, and managing practicalities (funeral, money, the house).
Behaviour: Initially upright + hopeful, asking practical questions. On warning shot she sits down + grips the chair. When the word "died" is used she gasps, covers her mouth, then cries quietly. Quickly asks "Did he suffer?" and within a minute moves to self-blame "If only I'd made him see the doctor." Responds well to silence, gentle touch on the hand (if offered), and an honest answer that he lost consciousness within seconds. Settles partially when given a clear plan + offered viewing + chaplain. If candidate uses jargon, euphemism, or premature reassurance, she becomes confused or briefly angry ("please just tell me plainly"). Asks about funeral arrangements + viewing toward the end.
Disclose only if asked:
Finish your timed attempt before revealing the answer.
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