5 Most Important Things a Patient Can Ask a Nurse

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Many patients wait for the doctor to ask their questions that might be concerning them. However, sometimes the doctor will take too long and the patient just needs to know “right now.” Being a nurse, you are continuously slammed with multitudes of questions and sometimes it might seem like a question and answer “game” that you’re sure to get wrong.

However, the concerns that go through a patient’s head, as well as that of their families, might be relatively simple questions about planning or treatment. Having impeccable communication skills is important in nursing.

What to Ask a Nurse

According to Fortis College, there are 5 “most important” things a patient can ask a nurse to calm their concerns, these are listed below along with other questions to consider:

•What medications are you giving me?
•What does the medication do?
•Can they expect any side effects?
•Will medications make a patient feel tired or gain weight?
•What do the lab results show?
•Is there another condition that they need to be concerned about?
•Do they have to make any lifestyle changes, such as nutrition?
•What do the lab results mean?
•What part of the body is the doctor talking about?
•Is there a problem with blood or kidneys?
•Will dialysis or blood work be required?
•What challenges will the patient face once he/she leaves?
•Will the patient be able to get around okay?
•Will he or she need assistance with a walker or chair?
•Can the patient still drive?
•Will he or she need a visiting nurse to help with care?

It is important for a patient to know what they are being given and also important for the nurse to go over what medications they are administering to the patient. Patients usually want to know not only what medications they are being given, but why and what will it do in terms of treatment.

The questions are important to the patient and their family members for many reasons. They want to know what is going on with their bodies and their health. They want to know if there are going to be any ongoing healthcare issues that they need to plan for, and what they have to do, as they try to “reprogram” their brain for changes ahead. Basically, the patients and their families need to know what they are dealing with and what they might face later on.

What to Remember About the Ask a Nurse Option

It is often repeated that a question that is not asked is the only “dumb question.” Many people do not ask questions in fear of being seen as stupid. This is far from the truth. Everyone has the right to know and you should ask questions, even if they seem stupid to you. There is no stupid question for a nurse. Medical issues are complex and having a nurse or other healthcare professional who can answer questions in a way that’s easy to understand can help stop anxiety and assist the educational process. This also aids in maintaining and preventing complications with health conditions once the patient has left the hospital or other facility.