Checking the Patient’s Symptoms

By The Family Room Care Team Last reviewed June 2025

Overview 

We’re going to teach you how to spot six common symptoms, right from the bedside.

You know the patient best! Those little habits, the way they smile, even how they grumble – that’s all stuff the doctors might not know.

But guess what? That knowledge is like a superpower, and we’re going to help you use it!

Why Do It?

  • You might notice something’s off before anyone else does
  • The doctors and nurses will love hearing what you’ve seen
  • It’ll help you feel more in control (and let’s face it, hospitals can be pretty overwhelming)

How to Check for Symptoms

Pain
What it is

Pain is when the body hurts. It can be in one spot or all over.

Why it might happen
  • Recent surgery or procedure (e.g. stitches)
  • Fighting an infection
  • Ongoing health issues (e.g. arthritis)
How to check
  • Ask…
    •  “Do you hurt anywhere?”
  • Look for…
    • Upset face or frowning
    • Tense muscles
    • Moving a lot in bed
  • Listen for…
    • Sounds like “ouch” or groaning
Ask about:
  • Where it hurts
  • How bad (a little, medium, a lot)
  • What kind (sharp, dull, burning)
  • When it started
  • What makes it better or worse
Anxiety
What It Is

Feeling very worried or scared.  It can make people feel uncomfortable or upset.

Why It Might Happen
  • Pain or discomfort
  • Tubes and lines in the body
  • Unfamiliar place
  • Can’t talk or move normally
  • Miss home and family
  • Confusion from medicines or lack of sleep
SAFETY

Make sure to tell the care team if you think the patient is experiencing new or worsening anxiety.

How To Check
  • Ask…
    • “Do you feel worried or scared?”
  • Look For…
    • Fast breathing or heart beating
    • Restless moving or fidgeting
    • Shaky or sweaty hands
    • Tense or worried face
    • Trouble sleeping
  • Notice if…
    • The breathing machine alarm goes off often
    • They’re pointing to body areas or tubes

Amazon: Stress balls

Tiredness
What It Is

Feeling very sleepy, weak, or having no energy.

Why It Might Happen
  • Body working hard to heal
  • Strong medicines
  • Disturbed sleep from machines and care routines
  • Not moving much in bed
  • Pain
Important to Remember
  • It’s normal to be very tired while getting better
  • Patients who were very sick need more time to rest
  • Tell the nurse if the patient is always tired
  • Let the patient sleep unless the nurse says to wake them
SAFTEY

Tell the care team right away if the patient suddenly seems more or less awake than usual

How To Check
  • Look For…
    • Droopy eyes or yawning
    • Less active than before
    • Falling asleep during the day
  • Check if they…
    • Can open their eyes
    • Can follow simple commands
    • Respond when you speak
    • Have trouble focusing

Remember, recovery takes time. It’s normal for patients to need a lot of rest, especially in the early stages of healing.

While tiredness is normal, sudden changes in alertness or responsiveness should be reported to the care team immediately.

Shortness of Breath
What It Is

Feeling like it’s hard to breathe or get enough air.

Why It Might Happen
  • Lung problems or fluid in lungs
  • Heart not working well
  • Getting used to a breathing machine
  • Pain
  • Anxiety
  • Lying down for a long time
Important to Remember:
  • The care team is monitoring breathing closely
  • Always tell the nurse right away about breathing problems
  • Never adjust any tubes or machines 
  • Don’t give them anything to help them breathe without asking the nurse first
  • Staying calm can help them breathe easier
How To Check
  • Look For…
    • Worried face
    • Flaring nostrils
    • Using chest or neck muscles to breathe
    • Trying to sit up more
    • Fast or heavy breathing
  • Check machines…
    • Fast breathing on the ventilator
    • Are oxygen levels on the monitor lower than normal?
  • Ask…
    • “Is it hard to breathe?” (if they can speak)
  • Notice if they…
    • Can’t finish sentences
    • Point to their chest or make breathing gestures
SAFETY

Preventing shortness of breath is important. Follow all instructions from the care team about positioning, movement, and activities.

Remember, always tell a member of the care team right away if a patient is having trouble breathing.

Nausea
What It Is

Feeling sick to the stomach or like throwing up. They might not want to eat. This can be hard to notice if they aren’t fully awake.

Why It Might Happen
  • Some medicines
  • Illness or surgery effects
  • Pain
  • Tubes in nose or mouth
  • Lying down for long periods
  • Moving around too much
  • Hospital smells or cleaning products
Important to Remember
  • Tell the nurse if the patient feels very sick
  • Don’t give anything by mouth without asking the nurse
  • Nausea can make patients weak, so help them move safely
  • Nausea can be a sign of other problems in the ICU
How To Check
  • Look For…
    • Pale or sweaty skin
    • Grimace or discomfort on face
  • Notice if they…
    • Refuse to eat
    • Turn away from food smells
    • Swallow a lot
    • Gag or try to remove mouth tubes

Nausea can be a sign of other problems in the ICU, so it’s crucial to report any signs to the care team promptly

Thirst
What It Is

Feeling like you need to drink water. It means their body wants water. Helping with thirst can make the patient more comfortable and prevent dry mouth problems.

Why It Might Happen
  • Can’t drink on their own
  • Recent surgery
  • On a breathing machine
  • Too sleepy to drink safely
  • Trouble swallowing
  • Dry mouth from medicines
  • Fever or sweating a lot
Important Things to Know
  • Patients get water through their IV if they can’t drink
  • Some patients can’t drink water even if they feel thirsty
  • Tell the nurse if you think the patient is very thirsty
SAFETY

Always ask the nurse before giving anything to eat or drink

How To Check
  • Ask…
    • “Are you thirsty?”
  • Look For…
    • Dry or sticky mouth
    • Dry or cracked lips
    • Frequent swallowing or licking lips
  • Listen For…
    • A dry, scratchy voice
  • Watch For…
    • Hand motions like drinking
    • Pointing to mouth or throat
Tools for Helping Communication
Get Started With a Care Check-in