Questions to Ask Your Vascular Access Team
A curated list of questions for patients to ask their vascular access team — before a procedure, during a hospital stay, before going home, and for ongoing catheter care — organized for easy reference.
Questions to Ask Your Vascular Access Team
Asking questions is one of the most powerful things you can do to stay safe and informed during IV therapy and catheter care. Research consistently shows that patients who ask questions and engage actively in their care have better outcomes.
This guide gives you organized, ready-to-use questions for every stage of your vascular access care — from the moment a catheter is recommended to the day it is removed.
You do not need to ask every question on this list. Choose the ones that matter most to you. Bring this guide (or write your questions down) to appointments. There is no such thing as a question that is too basic or too detailed.
Questions to Ask Before a Catheter Is Placed
Understanding why you need it
- “Why do I need a catheter? What clinical goal does it accomplish?”
- “What would happen if I decided not to have this catheter placed right now?”
- “Are there alternatives to this specific type of catheter? What are the trade-offs?”
- “Why this type of catheter and not a simpler one? Am I getting the least invasive option that meets my needs?”
Understanding the procedure itself
- “Can you walk me through exactly what will happen during the procedure, step by step?”
- “Will I be awake? Will I feel anything?”
- “Where exactly will you insert the catheter, and where will the tip end up?”
- “How long does the procedure usually take?”
- “Will you use ultrasound guidance? What does that mean?”
- “How will you confirm the catheter is in the right position after it is placed?”
- “What happens if the first attempt doesn’t work?”
Understanding the risks
- “What are the most common complications of this procedure?”
- “What are the most serious complications, even if rare?”
- “Based on my specific health history, am I at higher risk for any particular complication?”
- “What will you do if something goes wrong during the procedure?”
Practical preparation
- “Do I need to do anything to prepare? (Fasting, stopping medications, etc.)”
- “Should I take my regular medications the morning of the procedure?”
- “Is there anything that would make this catheter unsafe for me that I should know about?”
- “What pain management will be used? Will I receive local anesthetic?”
- “Can a family member or support person be with me during the procedure?”
After the procedure
- “How will I feel afterward? What’s normal?”
- “How long will I need this catheter?”
- “Who do I contact if I have a problem after the procedure?”
Questions to Ask During Your Hospital Stay
About your medications and infusions
- “What medications are currently going through my IV?”
- “What is each medication for, and what side effects should I watch for?”
- “How long will each infusion take?”
- “What does it mean if the infusion pump alarms? Is there anything I should do?”
- “Why is my infusion rate set the way it is? Can it be adjusted if I’m uncomfortable?”
About your catheter and site
- “When was my last dressing change? When is the next one due?”
- “What is the current external length of my PICC? (Write it down for reference.)”
- “Is my catheter still necessary, or has it been reviewed for removal?”
- “What can I and cannot I do with this line in? Can I get up and walk? Can I shower?”
- “Who should I call if I notice something wrong with my IV site at 2am?”
About infection prevention
- “What steps are you taking to prevent catheter-related infections?”
- “Should I be getting CHG baths? Has this been ordered for me?”
- “Can I ask you to confirm you’ve cleaned your hands before you touch my catheter?”
- “What are the specific signs of infection I should watch for?”
About your overall care
- “Can you explain my diagnosis and treatment plan in simple terms?”
- “What is the plan for getting me home? What needs to happen before I can be discharged?”
- “Who is the best person to contact on my care team with questions?”
Questions to Ask Before You Go Home with a Catheter
About going home safely
- “Am I ready to go home? What criteria are being used to make that determination?”
- “What are the signs that I should call my home nurse versus go to the emergency room?”
- “What are the most likely problems I might encounter at home, and what should I do?”
About supplies and medications
- “What supplies do I need at home and how do I get them?”
- “Where are my medications? Are they being delivered to my home, or do I need to pick them up?”
- “How should I store my IV medications? Do they need to be refrigerated?”
- “How much supply do I have, and how far in advance should I reorder?”
About your catheter care routine
- “Show me exactly how to flush this catheter — can I practice while I’m still here?”
- “How often do I flush? With what? With how much?”
- “Who will do my dressing changes at home? When is the first one scheduled?”
- “What does a healthy insertion site look like? What should make me worried?”
- “What is the external length of my PICC right now? (Write it down.)”
- “What activity restrictions do I have? Can I drive? Can I lift? Can I swim?”
- “How do I shower without getting the dressing wet?”
About follow-up care
- “When is my next appointment, and where?”
- “What lab tests do I need, when do I need them, and where do I go?”
- “How will I know when my treatment is complete and the catheter can be removed?”
- “Who is managing my care going forward — is it my specialist, my primary care doctor, or the home infusion team?”
About your home infusion nurse
- “Who is my home infusion nurse? When will they first visit?”
- “What is the phone number I call if I have a problem between visits?”
- “What is the after-hours number for emergencies?”
About the medications you’re going home with
- “What is the name of each medication I’m going home with?”
- “What is it for, and how will I know it’s working?”
- “What side effects should I expect? What side effects should make me call for help?”
- “Are there any medications or foods I should avoid while taking this?”
- “How long is my treatment course?”
Questions to Ask at Your Follow-Up Appointments
- “How is my treatment going? Is it working?”
- “Are my lab results normal? Does my dose need to be adjusted?”
- “Is there any sign of infection at the catheter site or in my blood?”
- “How much longer do I need this catheter?”
- “Is there any reason to consider switching to oral medications instead of continuing IV therapy?”
- “Is there a complication developing that we should address?”
- “When will the catheter be removed, and how will that be arranged?”
Questions About Specific Devices
If you have a PICC line
- “Which arm is my PICC in?”
- “How many lumens does my PICC have? Do I treat each one differently?”
- “What is the external length of my PICC?”
- “What are the signs that my PICC has moved or is not in the right position?”
- “Can blood pressure cuffs be put on my PICC arm? (Generally: no.)”
- “What arm movements should I avoid?”
If you have a port
- “Is my port power-injectable (suitable for CT contrast)?”
- “Where is my port ID card? What information does it contain?”
- “How often does my port need to be flushed when it’s not in active use?”
- “Can I swim and exercise normally with my port when there’s no needle in it?”
- “How do I use numbing cream before port access? How far in advance?”
- “What is the clinic/nurse’s process if blood cannot be drawn from my port?”
If you have a peripheral IV
- “How long can this IV stay in before it needs to be changed?”
- “Why can’t my medication be given through this peripheral IV? (Ask if told you need a central line.)”
- “Can I go home with this IV, or do I need a longer-term device?”
Questions About Specific Medications
- “What is this medication called, and what is it treating?”
- “How long will I need it?”
- “What are the most common side effects?”
- “What side effects should prompt me to call you immediately?”
- “Does this medication require monitoring of my drug levels? How often?”
- “Does this medication interact with anything else I take?”
- “Can I drink alcohol while taking this?”
- “If I accidentally miss a dose, what should I do?”
- “Can I switch to an oral form of this medication at some point, so I can get the IV catheter out sooner?”
Questions That Are Always Appropriate to Ask
No matter where you are in your care:
- “Can you explain that in simpler terms?”
- “Can I write that down / can you write that down for me?”
- “Is there a pamphlet or printed guide about this?”
- “I didn’t quite understand — can you explain it a different way?”
- “What is the most important thing I can do to keep myself safe?”
- “What should I be watching for that would tell you things are going well or going wrong?”
- “Is there anything I haven’t asked that you think I should know?”
Tips for Getting the Most from Medical Conversations
Bring a support person. A trusted family member or friend can help you remember information, think of additional questions, and provide emotional support. Two sets of ears are better than one.
Write your questions down in advance. It is easy to forget questions in the moment, especially when you are anxious, in pain, or distracted. Writing them down means nothing gets missed.
Ask the most important questions first. If your appointment time is limited, prioritize. You may not get through everything, but your most urgent concerns will be addressed.
Take notes or ask if you can record the conversation. Medical information can be overwhelming. Notes or a recording allow you to review what was said later.
Ask for written instructions. Verbal instructions are easily forgotten. Request written discharge instructions, care guides, or printed information sheets for anything important.
Use the teach-back method. After your nurse or doctor explains something, try to explain it back in your own words: “So what I understand is that I need to flush the line every morning with saline — is that right?” This confirms understanding on both sides.
Involve your care team as a team. Your vascular access nurse, infusion pharmacist, home infusion nurse, and physician all have different expertise. Some questions are best answered by specific team members:
- Medication questions: Your pharmacist or prescribing physician
- Catheter care questions: Your vascular access nurse or home infusion nurse
- “What is this medication doing to my body?” questions: Your physician or NP
- Insurance and supply questions: Your case manager or the home infusion coordinator
Your Care Team Members: Who Does What?
Understanding your care team helps you direct your questions effectively:
| Team Member | Role |
|---|---|
| Vascular Access Nurse (PICC/IV Nurse) | Places and manages your catheter; dressing changes; catheter troubleshooting |
| Home Infusion Nurse | Manages your catheter and infusions at home; teaches self-care skills |
| Infusion Pharmacist | Prepares and dispenses IV medications; advises on drug interactions, side effects, and compatibility |
| Case Manager / Social Worker | Coordinates discharge planning, home services, insurance authorization |
| Prescribing Physician / NP / PA | Directs your treatment; makes decisions about catheter type and duration |
| Infusion Center Nurse | Administers infusions in the outpatient clinic; monitors during treatment |
Related Guides in This Series
- Understanding Vascular Access
- Your Rights: Informed Consent and Decision-Making
- Discharge Planning: Leaving the Hospital with an IV Device
- Going Home with a PICC Line
- Going Home with an Implanted Port
This guide is for educational purposes. The questions listed here are suggestions — the best questions are the ones that matter most to you and your specific situation. Always feel empowered to ask any question of your care team.