Learning About Questions to Ask When Getting Intravenous (I.V.) Antibiotics at a Skilled Nursing Facility

Antibiotics are powerful medicines that help your body fight infection. These medicines don't cure all infections. But they are generally safe and work very well to treat certain bacterial infections.

Antibiotics may be given as a pill. Or they may be given through an intravenous (I.V.) line. An I.V. line is a tube that delivers medicine directly into a vein and the bloodstream. You may get I.V. antibiotics if you cannot take pills or if you have a more severe infection. In some cases, you may get I.V. antibiotics during a stay at a skilled nursing facility or at an outpatient infusion center.

It's important to know as much as possible about the medicines you're taking. Here are some examples of questions you might ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

• What is the name of the medicine?
• What will the medicine do?
• How will I know that this medicine is working? How long will it take before I notice anything?
• What is the next step if this medicine doesn't work?
• Will I need any tests while I'm on this medicine? If so, what and how often?

• Why is this the right medicine for me?
• Is there something I can do instead of taking this medicine?
• Is there a medicine that could be better for me?

• How long will I have to take it? What if I start to feel better?
• What amount will I get each time (dose)?
• How often will it be given?
• When will I get it (such as morning, evening, before bed, once a day, or other instructions)?
• What if I miss a dose? Will I get 2 doses the next time? Will I get the missed dose right away?

• What side effects can I expect, and how soon might they appear?
• Will they go away on their own? How long will it take? Can I do anything to prevent or manage them?
• When should I tell someone if I'm having side effects?
• Do any of my medicines cause a bad reaction when taken with another one, or can they interact with another medical condition?

• What else do I need to know?
• When do I need to see my doctor again?

• Be sure you understand your doctor’s instructions.
• Share any concerns you have about taking the medicine.