If your child is in the NICU or PICU, rounds can feel like the most important—and overwhelming—part of the day. A dozen voices. Medical terms flying. Rapid decisions. And somewhere in the middle of it all… is your child.
You may feel pressure to understand everything in real time, make decisions quickly, and communicate updates to other family members. That’s a lot to carry, especially on little sleep and big emotions.
Here’s one thing we want you to know: You’re allowed to ask questions. In fact, asking questions during rounds isn’t just okay—it’s powerful.
Here are four thoughtful, effective questions you can ask during NICU or PICU rounds to clarify care plans, reduce stress, and better advocate for your child.
❓1. What teams have been involved in making these care decisions?
In critical care, multiple specialties often weigh in. But as a parent, you may not always know who is driving the decisions.
Asking this helps you:
Understand which specialties are actively involved (e.g., pulmonology, neurology, palliative, surgery)
Clarify the difference between recommendations and final decisions
Know whom to follow up with if questions arise later
💬 “Are these decisions coming from our primary team or in collaboration with other services?”
🧠 2. What are the 3–5 key things I should take away from this conversation?
This is especially helpful when:
You're overwhelmed by medical language
You need to update other family members
You want to make sure you didn’t miss anything important
Asking for a brief recap not only helps you feel more in control—it also prompts the team to reframe their message in a more digestible, parent-friendly way.
📝 Use a notebook or phone to jot down these takeaways right after rounds while they’re fresh.
🏠 3. How does this impact our trajectory for going home?
Whether your stay is expected to last days or months, you’re allowed to ask about the bigger picture.
This question helps you understand:
If progress is moving forward, backward, or holding steady
If today’s decisions change discharge goals
Whether additional therapies, surgeries, or waitlists will delay timelines
🧭 Discharge planning is a marathon, not a sprint—but you deserve to know how today’s step fits into the full journey.
📈 4. How does this impact our expected outcome?
Sometimes your child’s clinical picture is stable. Other times, new findings or setbacks emerge. Asking this question gives you a better understanding of:
How today’s information affects long-term function or prognosis
What new risks or supports may be needed
Whether the care team’s overall expectations have changed
💬 “Are we still on the same track you expected last week—or has today shifted that outlook?”
💡 Bonus Tips for Rounds
Bring a notebook. Keep it nearby to track daily updates and terms to look up later.
Repeat back what you heard. This helps confirm understanding and shows you’re engaged.
Appoint one family communicator. If multiple people are asking questions, designate one person to take notes or follow up.
Don’t be afraid to say, “I don’t understand.” You’re not expected to be a medical interpreter—you’re expected to be a parent. That’s more than enough.
💙 Final Thought: You Belong in the Room
You don’t need medical training to ask smart questions. You don’t need the right words to be an advocate. You just need to show up, ask what matters, and speak on behalf of the tiny human who can’t yet speak for themselves.
And if the room feels too fast, too technical, or too dismissive? That’s a red flag—not a reflection of your worth.
You deserve to be respected as part of your child’s care team—because you are.