Patient Empowerment Tool · Clinical Communication

10 Questions to Ask Your Care Team Before & During Infusion Therapy

An empowering checklist of evidence-based questions to help you and your family communicate proactively with your oncologist, infusion nurse, and clinical pharmacist.

Clinical Peer Review: Sarah Jenkins, MSN, RN, CRNI, VA-BC Published: October 2026 Verified Board Member →

1. Five Questions to Ask Before Your Infusion Starts

  1. "Is my medication a vesicant or irritant?" Knowing whether your drug can damage skin if it leaks helps you remain vigilant for burning or stinging.
  2. "Is this vascular access device (IV, PICC line, or Port) the safest choice for this specific medication?" Highly concentrated fluids and chemotherapy belong in central lines, not fragile hand veins.
  3. "What physical sensations are normal during this infusion, and what sensations mean I should press my call bell immediately?" Some drugs cause mild coolness; burning or itching is never normal.
  4. "Are smart pump safety guardrails set for my specific dose?" Confirming smart pump limits gives you peace of mind that rate limits are locked.
  5. "If I am receiving intravenous iron or biologics, do I need an in-line filter?" Confirming filters are in place prevents accidental particle infusion.

2. What to Ask & Report During Active Infusion

  1. "Can you check the blood return on my IV before giving this push medication?" Checking blood return confirms the tube is still inside the vein.
  2. "Why is the pump beeping, and can you check my arm dressing?" Never let an alarm go uninspected.
  3. "I feel a strange metallic taste, chest fullness, or throat scratchiness—can we pause for a moment?" Early reporting stops mild reactions from escalating.

3. Questions for Safe Discharge & Home Care

  1. "What direct phone number should I call at 2 AM if my home pump alarms or my line leaks?" Ensure you have the 24/7 on-call pharmacy line saved in your phone.
  2. "What delayed symptoms (like fever >100.4°F or joint aches) should prompt me to go to the emergency room?" Clarify emergency escalation before leaving the suite.
Clinical Practice Boundary Notice

This protocol provides evidence-based guidance reflecting INS 2024 Standards of Practice and CDC recommendations. Clinical judgment, institutional policy, and patient-specific variables must guide individualized bedside care.