Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Keep your language conversational for a more personable feel. Use colored ink or fonts to liven up your correspondence. Draw in the margins of handwritten letters to lend a little visual flair.

Answer: Informal letters are meant to be read in a relaxed, casual way. Feel free to use contractions, hypothetical questions, inside jokes, and other figures of speech. This will help your natural voice come through to your reader. If you're not sure what to say, it can be helpful to imagine that you're having a conversation with a friend and simply write the way you would talk. Black ink is for newspapers and dull, rigid formal letters. Grab your most vibrant pens or change the default text color in your word processor and put a little personality on the page. Blue, green, red, and other funky shades can all be fun attention grabbers, especially if you're writing to a close friend.  Mixing up your use of colors is a great way to break up the monotony and emphasize key words or phrases. Make sure the color you choose contrasts your letter paper enough to be plainly visible. Otherwise, your message may be hard to read. Take advantage of the extra space on either side of the page by filling it with doodles, symbols, or quirky notes. Elements like these will allow you to express yourself creatively and give your reader something else to look at.  You might spice up your description of that time you spotted Bigfoot at the mall by including an artist's rendering of what he looked like. Similarly, if you happen to catch a typo while reading back over your letter, you could turn it into a joke by crossing it out and scribbling, “I promise I know how to spell!” next to it.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Hold the diaphragm over the patient’s heart. Listen to the heart for a full minute. Count the number of heartbeats you hear in a minute. Listen for abnormal heart sounds.

Answer: Position the diaphragm on the left upper part of the chest where the 4th to 6th ribs meet, almost directly under the breast. Hold the stethoscope between your pointer and middle fingers and apply enough gentle pressure so that you don’t hear your fingers rubbing together. Ask the patient to relax and breathe normally. You should hear the normal sounds of the human heart, which sound like “lub-dub.” These sounds are also called systolic and diastolic. Systolic is the “lub” sound and diastolic is the “dub” sound.  The “lub,” or systolic, sound happens when the mitral and tricuspid valves of the heart close. The “dub,” or diastolic, sound happens when the aortic and pulmonic valves close. The normal resting heart rate for adults and children over 10 years old is between 60-100 beats per minute. For well-trained athletes, the normal resting heart rate may only be between 40-60 beats per minute. There are several different ranges of resting heart rates to consider for patients under 10 years old. Those ranges include: Newborns up to one month old: 70-190 beats per minute Infants 1 - 11 months old: 80 - 160 beats per minute Children 1 - 2 years old: 80 - 130 beats per minute Children 3 - 4 years old: 80 - 120 beats per minute Children 5 - 6 years old: 75 - 115 beats per minute Children 7 - 9 years old: 70 - 110 beats per minute As you count the heartbeats, you should also listen for any abnormal sounds. Anything that does not sound like lub-dub may be considered abnormal. If you hear anything abnormal, your patient may need further evaluation by a doctor.  If you hear a whooshing sound or a sound that is more like “lub...shhh...dub,” your patient might have a heart murmur. A heart murmur is blood rushing quickly through the valves. Many people have what are called “innocent” heart murmurs. But some heart murmurs do point to issues with heart valves, so you should advise your patient to see a doctor if you detect a heart murmur.  If you hear a third heart sound that is like a low-frequency vibration, your patient might have a ventricular defect. This third heart sound is referred to as S3 or a ventricular gallop. Advise the patient to see a doctor if you hear a third heart sound.  Try listening to samples of normal and abnormal heart sounds to help you determine if what you are hearing is normal.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Don't be embarrassed. Keep it simple. Try a pre-made note online. Ask to talk to a female you both trust. Ask him to schedule a doctor's appointment for you. Talk to someone else.

Answer:
Remember, menstruation happens to all girls; in fact, it even happens to some female animals. The important thing to remember is that the apprehension you are feeling will lessen over time.  Know that your dad is mature enough to handle "the period talk." As an adult male, your dad not only knows what a period is, but has probably been expecting to have this talk with you for some time. Your dad may be slightly embarrassed as well. Take comfort in knowing that you're not the only one trying to get a handle on your emotions. Understand that your reaction is a normal one. Starting your period can be both confusing and emotional. Sometimes the easiest way to approach the situation is to just say, "Dad, I got my period." Keeping it brief and to the point will help you to avoid becoming emotional. Instead of building up to a big sit down conversation, try approaching the subject during down time such as when watching television or eating dinner.  By being direct, you avoid confusion and open the lines of communication between you and your dad. Your openness may ease his discomfort and he may become a valuable resource for information. Sometimes it's easier to write words than to speak them. But what happens if you can't find the right words to say or write? There are scripted notes online that can be addressed to anyone and that allow you to ease into the topic. With titles like "guess what" or "we need to talk" it sends a clear message to dad without the awkward talk.   The great thing about this option is that it informs your parent, but puts the responsibility of initiating the conversation on them. Be sure to put the note in a place where your dad is sure to find it, and make sure he'll find it at an appropriate time. Giving the note to him when he's running out of the house for work isn't the best option. Sometimes it's just easier to talk to a female about female problems. If you don't have a mother or older sister around, tell your dad that you need to speak to a female about "female issues" you are experiencing.  Your dad may become curious or worried at this point. You can ease his curiosity by simply stating "I started my period and I would rather talk to a woman about it." You can make your dad feel like part of the process by asking for his advice about who to go to for help. As someone who is in charge of your healthcare, your dad will probably ask why you need to visit the doctor. At this point you can inform him that you are having a personal issue. This will either open the door to further communication or give your dad a clue that something is going on.  Your doctor is not only a great source of information, but they can also assist you in telling your dad about your period. A close alternative is the school nurse. You can always get feminine products from your school nurse while you're figuring out how to tell your dad. But don't hide it from him for too long. It is definitely something for which you don't have to be ashamed. What happens if your dad isn't someone you can trust or if he is embarrassed by the situation? You can always choose to confide in a trusted confidant like a family friend, relative, or a trusted neighbor.