Information reviewed: September 23, 2026

You have been in the emergency room for hours.

Tests were done.

Someone explained the results.

You are tired, hungry, uncomfortable, and ready to go home.

Then you are handed several pages of discharge instructions.

This is exactly when important information can be missed.

Research involving older adults discharged from emergency departments has found that patients do not always fully understand their diagnosis, medicines, follow-up plan, or the symptoms that should bring them back for urgent care.

That does not mean emergency departments are doing a poor job.

It means that discharge is a high-information moment, and patients are often trying to absorb important instructions when they are tired, worried, or uncomfortable.

Before you leave, slow the process down for a few minutes.

You do not need to understand every medical term.

You do need to know what happens next.

Here are eight questions worth asking before you go home.

A Note About Age

Wise Years Living serves adults 50+ and family caregivers. Much of the research on older adults and emergency-department discharge has focused on populations age 60 and older, with study age cutoffs varying. The practical questions in this guide, however, can be useful for adults of many ages who are being discharged home from the ER.

1. What Do You Think Happened, and What Is the Diagnosis Right Now?

Do not leave with only a vague understanding such as:

“They said the tests looked okay.”

Ask for the clearest explanation available.

Try:

“What do you think caused my symptoms, and what diagnosis should I understand when I go home?”

Sometimes the emergency department can identify a clear diagnosis.

Other times, the team may rule out certain emergencies without knowing the exact cause of the symptom.

Both situations are possible.

The important thing is knowing which situation applies to you.

What to write down

Record:

• The diagnosis you were given
• The main reason for your symptoms, if known
• Anything the clinician said is still uncertain

If the explanation includes unfamiliar medical terms, ask:

“Could you explain that in plain language?”

2. What Serious Problems Did You Check For—and What Is Still Uncertain?

This question is different from asking for your diagnosis.

You may have come to the ER because of chest discomfort, dizziness, abdominal pain, weakness, a fall, or another concerning symptom.

The medical team may have performed tests to look for dangerous causes.

Ask:

“What serious problems did you check for, and is there anything you still cannot completely rule out?”

This is not asking the clinician to guarantee that nothing bad can happen.

Medicine rarely works that way.

The goal is to understand:

• What was evaluated
• What the results showed
• What remains uncertain
• What changes should make you seek care again

A reassuring test today does not mean you should ignore a major new or worsening symptom later.

3. Are Any Test Results Still Pending?

This is one of the easiest questions to forget.

Some laboratory tests, cultures, pathology results, or other studies may not be finished when you leave.

Ask:

“Are any of my test results still pending?”

If the answer is yes, follow with:

“Who will review them?”

“How will I receive the result?”

“When should I expect to hear something?”

“Who should I call if I do not hear back?”

Do not simply assume that no news means everything is normal.

Write down the follow-up plan before leaving.

4. Did Any of My Medicines Change Today?

This question matters even if you were not given a brand-new prescription.

Ask:

“Did you start, stop, change, or temporarily hold any of my medicines?”

Clarify whether the change applies to:

• Prescription medicines
• Over-the-counter medicines
• Vitamins
• Supplements
• Medicines you take only as needed

If you were prescribed something new, ask what it is for and how long you are expected to take it.

If you already take several medicines, show the staff your current medication list if you have one.

For a more complete medication review, see the Wise Years Living guide:

Are Your Medicines Causing New Problems After 50? 7 Warning Signs to Review

Do not independently stop or change a prescription medicine unless a qualified healthcare professional tells you how to do so.

5. When Exactly Should I Take My Next Dose?

This question sounds simple.

It can prevent real confusion.

Imagine that you normally take a medicine at night, but the ER gave you a dose during your visit.

Or a new prescription says “twice daily,” but you are going home late in the evening.

Before leaving, ask:

“What time should I take my next dose?”

Do this for any medicine that was:

• Given in the ER
• Newly prescribed
• Changed
• Temporarily held
• Restarted

Also ask whether the medicine should be taken with food, whether it may cause sleepiness or dizziness, and whether you should avoid alcohol or driving.

Do not guess the timing if you are unsure.

6. Which Symptoms Mean Call Someone, Return to the ER, or Call 911?

This may be the most important question in this guide.

Do not settle for:

“Come back if you feel worse.”

Ask for specific examples.

Try:

“What symptoms should make me call my doctor?”

“What symptoms mean I should return to the emergency room?”

“What symptoms mean I should call 911?”

The warning signs will depend on why you were in the ER.

Ask the staff to point them out in your written discharge instructions.

For potentially life-threatening symptoms, call 911 rather than waiting for a routine appointment.

For example, CDC identifies sudden weakness or numbness, sudden confusion or trouble speaking, sudden vision problems, sudden severe headache, and sudden problems with walking, balance, or coordination as possible stroke warning signs requiring immediate action.

7. Who Should I Follow Up With—and How Soon?

“Follow up with your doctor” may not be specific enough.

Ask:

“Who should I see next?”

That might be a:

• Primary care doctor
• Specialist
• Surgeon
• Clinic
• Pharmacist
• Physical therapist
• Other healthcare professional

Then ask:

“How soon should I be seen?”

There is a big difference between:

“Follow up when convenient.”

and:

“You should be seen within two days.”

If the appointment has not already been made, ask:

“What should I do if I cannot get an appointment within that time?”

Keep your discharge paperwork until the follow-up is complete.

If possible, take it with you to the appointment.

8. Is There Anything I Should Avoid—or Get Help With—When I Get Home?

This is especially important if you are tired, weak, dizzy, sedated, sore, or less steady than usual.

Ask:

“Is it safe for me to drive?”

“Can I use stairs?”

“Can I shower alone?”

“Can I exercise?”

“Should someone stay with me tonight?”

“Are there foods or alcohol I should avoid?”

“Do I need help getting around the house?”

If you were treated for dizziness, a fall, weakness, pain, or another condition that affects mobility or balance, think about the entire trip home—not just the drive.

If falls are a concern, see:

Home Fall-Safety Check for Adults Over 60: Fix These 7 Risks First

One Extra Step: Say the Plan Back in Your Own Words

Before leaving, try saying:

“I want to make sure I understood everything. Can I tell you what I think the plan is?”

Then explain, in your own words:

• What happened
• What medicines to take
• When the next dose is
• What symptoms to watch for
• Who you need to see next
• When you need to see them

This communication method is commonly called teach-back.

The purpose is not to test you.

It is to confirm that the instructions were explained clearly enough for you to understand and follow them.

Watch: How Teach-Back Helps Patients Understand Their Care

This AHRQ TeamSTEPPS video uses an inpatient example, but it demonstrates the teach-back method for confirming that a patient and family understand important medication changes and care instructions.

If You Are the Family Caregiver

If you are helping a parent, spouse, or another adult after an ER visit, do not rely on memory alone.

Before leaving, make sure you know:

• What the diagnosis is
• Which medicines changed
• When the next doses are due
• Which test results are still pending
• What symptoms require urgent help
• Who should be called with questions
• When follow-up is needed
• Whether the person needs help at home

If the patient has difficulty hearing, remembering, reading, or understanding the instructions, ask the medical team to include the caregiver in the discharge explanation when appropriate and permitted.

If language is a barrier, ask whether qualified interpreter services are available.

The Wise Years Living 5-Minute ER Discharge Check

Before walking out, stop for five minutes.

Make sure you can answer these questions:

What happened?

What do I need to do tonight?

Did any medicine change?

When is my next dose?

Are any tests still pending?

What symptoms mean I need help?

Who do I follow up with?

Is it safe for me to be alone and do my normal activities?

If you cannot answer one of them, ask before you leave.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I am discharged from the ER, does that mean nothing serious is wrong?

Not necessarily.

Being discharged generally means the medical team determined that hospital admission was not required at that time.

It does not guarantee that every possible condition has been completely ruled out or that your symptoms cannot change.

Follow your discharge instructions and seek appropriate medical care if your symptoms worsen or if a warning sign occurs.

Should I keep my ER discharge papers?

Yes.

Keep them at least until your follow-up care is complete.

They may contain your diagnosis, test results, medicine changes, warning signs, and follow-up instructions.

Bring them to your next medical appointment when useful.

What if I do not understand the instructions?

Ask before leaving.

You can say:

“Could you explain this in simpler language?”

or:

“Can I repeat the plan back to make sure I understood it correctly?”

If you need language assistance, ask whether qualified interpreter services are available.

What if I cannot get the recommended follow-up appointment?

Call the clinician or office listed in your discharge instructions and explain that the ER recommended follow-up within a specific time.

Ask what you should do if an appointment is not available within that period.

If your condition worsens or you develop an emergency warning sign, do not wait for the appointment.

Should a family member or caregiver come with me to the ER?

When practical, a trusted family member or caregiver can help remember medical history, medicines, questions, and discharge instructions.

This may be especially useful if you are tired, in pain, having difficulty hearing, or having trouble remembering what was discussed.

The Most Important Thing to Remember

Sources

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) — Re-Engineered Discharge (RED) Toolkit (Hospital Discharge Resource)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — Signs and Symptoms of Stroke

Academic Emergency Medicine — Discharge Instruction Comprehension by Older Adults in the Emergency Department: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Medical Disclaimer

This article is for general educational purposes only and does not replace individualized medical advice, diagnosis, emergency evaluation, or treatment. Follow the discharge instructions provided by your healthcare team. If you believe you or someone else may be experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek emergency medical care immediately.