Question

The nurse calls the physician using the SBAR communication approach. The nurse states, I am calling about the patient Mrs. Smith, on Two east, University Hospital. I am concerned because her blood pressure is 210/98 and she is complaining of a headache. She was admitted yesterday and was alert, but becoming lethargic, will follow commands and respond appropriately. She is pale, extremities are cool. O2 saturations is 92% room air. She had atenolol one hour ago with no change in BP. I am not sure what the problem is, but know that the patient seems to be less stable. I would suggest that you consider a transfer to the unit for closer monitoring. Is there anything that I need to be doing right now for Mrs. Smith? The bold/italic portion of the quote reflects which component of SBAR?

a.) S

b.) B

c.) A

Answer 1

Nurses play an important role in ensuring successful team performance by transferring relevant and clinical information SBR technique helps in providing focused and easy communication with between nurses and to doctor especially during transfer of patient care from one nurse to another.

Standardized situation, background, assessment, recommendation (SBAR) is a communication tool used to communicate during the patient's handoff.

Sharing specific clinical information during patient handoff requires situational awareness that means understanding patient's correct clinical condition.

In assessment nurses should give there assessment to the condition.

Recommendation must include how the problem can be corrected.

Based on the above clinical condition :

I am not sure what the problem is but, patient seems less stable. These words represent the assisement (A) of the SBAR. Because, it it denotes the assessment of the present clinical condition of the patient.