Phase 1: Foundation
Questions patients and families should ask
Asking questions isn't a bother — it's one of the best ways to stay safe, reduce anxiety, and make informed decisions. Here is a practical checklist to use during a hospital stay.
What is my primary diagnosis?
Primary Diagnosis
The primary diagnosis is the main condition or problem being treated during your hospital stay. It usually guides much of your treatment and plan of care.
- Example: If you are admitted because of breathing problems caused by pneumonia, pneumonia may be your primary diagnosis.
Secondary Diagnoses
Secondary diagnoses are other health conditions that may also need to be considered during your care, even though they are not the main reason for your hospital stay.
- Examples: Diabetes, high blood pressure, or chronic kidney disease.
Ask your healthcare team:
- What is my main diagnosis, and can you explain it to me in simple terms?
- Are there other health conditions that may affect my treatment?
About your diagnosis
What is my primary diagnosis?
Primary Diagnosis
The primary diagnosis is the main condition or problem being treated during your hospital stay. It usually guides much of your treatment and plan of care.
- Example: If you are admitted because of breathing problems caused by pneumonia, pneumonia may be your primary diagnosis.
Secondary Diagnoses
Secondary diagnoses are other health conditions that may also need to be considered during your care, even though they are not the main reason for your hospital stay.
- Examples: Diabetes, high blood pressure, or chronic kidney disease.
Ask your healthcare team:
- What is my main diagnosis, and can you explain it to me in simple terms?
- Are there other health conditions that may affect my treatment?
Pain Assessment
How is my pain being assessed?
Ask your nurse how they are evaluating your pain, including where it hurts, how severe it is, what the pain feels like, and what makes it better or worse.
When will my pain be reassessed?
Pain should be reassessed after an intervention to see whether it helped. The timing can depend on the type of intervention, such as medication or a non-medication approach.
What can be done to help control my pain?
Ask about available pain-management options and what may be appropriate for you. Nurses may use medications, positioning, ice or heat when appropriate, relaxation techniques, distraction, breathing exercises, or other comfort measures.
Are there ways to manage my pain without medication?
Yes. Depending on your condition, nurses may help with repositioning, pillows for support, a quiet environment, relaxation and breathing techniques, distraction, music, or other comfort measures.
What should I tell my nurse if my pain is not improving?
Let your nurse know if your pain continues, gets worse, or changes. Your nurse can reassess the pain and communicate your concerns to the healthcare team so the plan can be reviewed.
Fall Prevention & Safety
How does the hospital determine if I am at risk for falling?
Nurses assess each patient's fall risk using a standardized assessment tool. One commonly used tool is the Schmidt Fall Risk Assessment Scale, which considers factors that may increase a patient's risk for falling.
What happens if I am identified as a fall risk?
The nursing team develops safety measures based on the patient's individual needs. Your fall-risk status may also be communicated to other members of the healthcare team so everyone can help maintain a safe environment.
What measures are taken to help prevent falls?
Fall-prevention measures may include keeping the bed in a safe position, keeping the call light and personal belongings within reach, ensuring appropriate footwear, maintaining a clear pathway, providing assistance with toileting and mobility, and encouraging patients to ask for help before getting out of bed.
Why is it important to call for help before getting out of bed?
Illness, medications, weakness, dizziness, unfamiliar surroundings, and changes in balance can increase the risk of falling. Asking for assistance can help prevent an unexpected fall.
What should I do if I feel dizzy or unsteady?
Tell your nurse before attempting to stand or walk. The healthcare team can assess your condition and determine what assistance or safety measures you may need.
What does the hospital have in place to reduce falls?
Hospitals use multiple layers of fall-prevention practices. These may include nursing assessments, patient education, safety protocols, mobility assistance, environmental checks, equipment, staff communication, and ongoing monitoring of patients who are at increased risk.
What can I do to help prevent a fall?
Use your call light when you need assistance, wear appropriate footwear, follow mobility instructions, keep frequently used items within reach, and tell your healthcare team about dizziness, weakness, or changes in your ability to walk safely.
Isolation Precautions
“When you see an isolation sign or a cart outside your hospital room, it means your healthcare team is taking extra steps to help prevent germs from spreading — or, in some cases, to protect you from germs.”
What Does the Cart Outside My Room Mean?
The cart usually contains the protective equipment healthcare workers or visitors may need before entering your room. Depending on the type of isolation, this may include gloves, gowns, masks, eye protection, or other equipment.
You may see different signs and equipment depending on the type of germ or your individual healthcare needs.
Common Types of Isolation
- Contact Precautions Used when germs can spread through touch or contaminated surfaces. Gloves and sometimes gowns may be required.
- Droplet Precautions Used for germs that can spread through respiratory droplets. A surgical mask may be required.
- Airborne Precautions Used for germs that can remain in the air and travel farther. Healthcare workers may wear an N95 respirator, and a special room with controlled airflow may be used.
- Protective Precautions Sometimes extra precautions are used to protect patients whose immune systems are weakened. The goal is to reduce their exposure to germs.
What Are Negative and Positive Pressure Rooms?
- Negative pressure room: Air is pulled into the room and filtered before leaving. This helps keep certain airborne germs from spreading outside the room.
- Positive pressure room: Clean air is pushed into the room to help protect patients who are especially vulnerable to infection.
Masks and Protective Equipment
You may see different types of protection depending on the situation:
- Surgical mask: Helps protect against respiratory droplets.
- N95 respirator: Provides a higher level of protection against very small airborne particles.
- Gloves and gowns: Help prevent germs from getting onto clothing or hands.
- Eye protection: Helps protect the eyes from droplets or splashes.
Questions You Can Ask
You don't have to know what every isolation sign means. It's okay to ask:
- What type of isolation am I on?
- Why do I need these precautions?
- What do I need to wear when leaving my room?
- Can I leave my room for tests or therapy?
- What should my visitors know?
- Who can explain the sign on my door if I don't understand it?
A Few Germs You May Hear About
You may hear names such as C. diff, MRSA, MDROs, RSV, or COVID-19 when your healthcare team discusses infection precautions. The precautions used depend on the specific infection, how it spreads, and your individual situation.
For example, C. diff can be difficult to remove with alcohol-based hand sanitizer, so soap-and-water handwashing is especially important when caring for someone with C. diff.
Discharge and Follow-Up
Discharge is more than simply leaving the hospital. Before you go home, your healthcare team will make sure your condition is stable and that you understand what you need to do after leaving.
What to expect:
Your care team will review your discharge plan with you. This may include your medications, activity and diet instructions, wound or equipment care, follow-up appointments, additional tests, or therapy. Make sure you understand when and where these services will happen and who is responsible for arranging them.
Before you leave, ask:
- Am I ready to go home, and are there any remaining steps before discharge?
- What medications am I taking at home, and have any medications been changed or stopped?
- What follow-up appointments, tests, or therapies do I need?
- What symptoms or changes should I watch for after I leave?
- Who should I contact if I have questions or concerns?
Write down the answers
Bring a notebook or use your phone to record answers, names, and instructions. Having a family member or friend present to take notes can also help you remember important details.
See what to bring to the hospital