SBAR Competency

1. What does SBAR stand for?

Situation, Background, Assessment Recommendation

Status, Background, Ailments, Requests

Scenario, Blood Type, Assessment, Room Number

SBAR stands for Situation, Background, Assessment Recommendation. This acronym is commonly used in healthcare settings to provide a structured and concise method of communication between healthcare professionals. The "Situation" component involves providing a brief and clear description of the current situation. The "Background" component includes relevant information about the patient's medical history and context. The "Assessment" component involves the healthcare professional's analysis and evaluation of the situation. Finally, the "Recommendation" component includes any suggested actions or interventions that should be taken.

Explanation

SBAR stands for Situation, Background, Assessment Recommendation. This acronym is commonly used in healthcare settings to provide a structured and concise method of communication between healthcare professionals. The "Situation" component involves providing a brief and clear description of the current situation. The "Background" component includes relevant information about the patient's medical history and context. The "Assessment" component involves the healthcare professional's analysis and evaluation of the situation. Finally, the "Recommendation" component includes any suggested actions or interventions that should be taken.

2. The nurse should prepare a potential list of responses or actions that might anticipate outcomes to issues discussed with the physician

True

False

The nurse should prepare a potential list of responses or actions that might anticipate outcomes to issues discussed with the physician. This is because being prepared with possible responses or actions can help the nurse effectively address and handle any potential outcomes or issues that may arise from discussions with the physician. By having a list of potential responses or actions, the nurse can be proactive in their approach and ensure that they are well-prepared to handle any situation that may occur.

Explanation

The nurse should prepare a potential list of responses or actions that might anticipate outcomes to issues discussed with the physician. This is because being prepared with possible responses or actions can help the nurse effectively address and handle any potential outcomes or issues that may arise from discussions with the physician. By having a list of potential responses or actions, the nurse can be proactive in their approach and ensure that they are well-prepared to handle any situation that may occur.

3. What information should be acquired prior to calling the physician?

The most recent vital signs, I & O

Pertinent lab results

Assessments: Pain level, Level of consciousness, Meds for pain, Allergies

All of the above

Prior to calling the physician, it is important to gather all relevant information to provide a comprehensive update. This includes the most recent vital signs, which give an indication of the patient's current health status. It is also crucial to have knowledge of the patient's intake and output (I & O) to assess their fluid balance. Pertinent lab results provide insight into the patient's overall health and any potential abnormalities. Assessments such as pain level, level of consciousness, and medications for pain are essential in understanding the patient's condition and response to treatment. Additionally, knowing about any allergies is crucial to avoid any adverse reactions. Therefore, acquiring all of the above information is necessary before calling the physician.

Explanation

Prior to calling the physician, it is important to gather all relevant information to provide a comprehensive update. This includes the most recent vital signs, which give an indication of the patient's current health status. It is also crucial to have knowledge of the patient's intake and output (I & O) to assess their fluid balance. Pertinent lab results provide insight into the patient's overall health and any potential abnormalities. Assessments such as pain level, level of consciousness, and medications for pain are essential in understanding the patient's condition and response to treatment. Additionally, knowing about any allergies is crucial to avoid any adverse reactions. Therefore, acquiring all of the above information is necessary before calling the physician.

4. Scenario #1 Mr. O is 63 years old. He was dizzy and light-headed at home and almost fell. His wife brought him by car to the ER. Mr. O was admitted to KP DMC with syncope. This is not his first time being admitted to the hospital. He has been treated in the past for congestive heart failure and acute myocardial infarction. He feels like he is pretty healthy as he only takes NSAIDs at home for chronic back pain. Mr. O got to KP DMC at 1600. His nurse Betsy, RN. Betsy, RN assessed him and found his blood pressure 138/84, pulse 76 and regular, and his respiratory rate 16. He is afebrile at 98.6. Mr. O's labs were normal, but his IV infiltrated during transport. Betsy, RN started a new IV and put a warm compress on the old site. Betsy, RN reported off to Ben, RN at 1900. At 2130, the CNA found Ben, RN and told him that he had just helped get Mr. O off the bedpan. Mr. O had a large, black tarry stool and was complaining of not feeling well. Ben, RN asked him how he was feeling. Mr. O said he just didn't feel well and could not get comfortable. He asked if he could have something for his belly, he states "it's really hurting!". Ben, RN assessed his abdomen and found that it was distended and Mr. O had diffuse abdominal pain. He rated his pain a 6 on a scale of 1-10. For Scenario #1, which of the following statements is the best example of what's included in "recommendation"?

I think we need to draw an H/H for the patient and keep the patient NPO.

What should we do?

What do you think is going on with the patient?

I guess the patient is really sick, so what did you want me to do?

The best example of a recommendation in this scenario is "I think we need to draw an H/H for the patient and keep the patient NPO." This statement suggests a specific course of action, which is to draw a Hemoglobin and Hematocrit (H/H) test and keep the patient NPO (nothing by mouth). This recommendation is based on the patient's symptoms of black tarry stool, abdominal pain, and distention, which could be indicative of gastrointestinal bleeding. Drawing an H/H test can help assess the patient's blood loss and keeping the patient NPO can prevent further complications.

Explanation

The best example of a recommendation in this scenario is "I think we need to draw an H/H for the patient and keep the patient NPO." This statement suggests a specific course of action, which is to draw a Hemoglobin and Hematocrit (H/H) test and keep the patient NPO (nothing by mouth). This recommendation is based on the patient's symptoms of black tarry stool, abdominal pain, and distention, which could be indicative of gastrointestinal bleeding. Drawing an H/H test can help assess the patient's blood loss and keeping the patient NPO can prevent further complications.

5. When providing a brief history to the physician, the nurse should include:

Any procedures/surgery and date performed

Any significant/pertinent events in recent or past history

Any co-morbidities or other factors that may relate to presenting symptoms

All of the above

The nurse should include all of the above information when providing a brief history to the physician. This includes any procedures or surgeries along with their dates, any significant or pertinent events in recent or past history, and any co-morbidities or other factors that may relate to the presenting symptoms.

Explanation

The nurse should include all of the above information when providing a brief history to the physician. This includes any procedures or surgeries along with their dates, any significant or pertinent events in recent or past history, and any co-morbidities or other factors that may relate to the presenting symptoms.

6. Which of the following is not a requirement when calling the physician?

Identifying yourself and the hospital name you are calling from

Department you are calling from

Patient’s name and room number

The hospital phone number

When calling a physician, it is important to identify yourself and the hospital name you are calling from, as well as provide the department you are calling from and the patient's name and room number. However, providing the hospital phone number is not a requirement when calling the physician, as the physician would already have access to the hospital's contact information.

Explanation

When calling a physician, it is important to identify yourself and the hospital name you are calling from, as well as provide the department you are calling from and the patient's name and room number. However, providing the hospital phone number is not a requirement when calling the physician, as the physician would already have access to the hospital's contact information.

7. Scenario #1 Mr. O is 63 years old. He was dizzy and light-headed at home and almost fell. His wife brought him by car to the ER. Mr. O was admitted to KP DMC with syncope. This is not his first time being admitted to the hospital. He has been treated in the past for congestive heart failure and acute myocardial infarction. He feels like he is pretty healthy as he only takes NSAIDs at home for chronic back pain. Mr. O got to KP DMC at 1600. His nurse Betsy, RN. Betsy, RN assessed him and found his blood pressure 138/84, pulse 76 and regular, and his respiratory rate 16. He is afebrile at 98.6. Mr. O's labs were normal, but his IV infiltrated during transport. Betsy, RN started a new IV and put a warm compress on the old site. Betsy, RN reported off to Ben, RN at 1900. At 2130, the CNA found Ben, RN and told him that he had just helped get Mr. O off the bedpan. Mr. O had a large, black tarry stool and was complaining of not feeling well. Ben, RN asked him how he was feeling. Mr. O said he just didn't feel well and could not get comfortable. He asked if he could have something for his belly, he states "it's really hurting!". Ben, RN assessed his abdomen and found that it was distended and Mr. O had diffuse abdominal pain. He rated his pain a 6 on a scale of 1-10. For Scenario #1, which of the following statements is the best example of "situation"?

Hi doctor, my patient here on 6 East says his stomach hurts really bad.

Hello, my patient's stomach is really distended and he says it hurts a lot.

The best example of a "situation" statement is "This is Nurse Joe from 6 East. This is in regards to Mr. O in Room 6322. I am concerned about his distended abdomen and associated pain." This statement clearly identifies the speaker, the location, and the specific issue being addressed (Mr. O's distended abdomen and associated pain). It provides a concise and focused description of the situation, which is important in effectively communicating with other healthcare professionals.

Explanation

The best example of a "situation" statement is "This is Nurse Joe from 6 East. This is in regards to Mr. O in Room 6322. I am concerned about his distended abdomen and associated pain." This statement clearly identifies the speaker, the location, and the specific issue being addressed (Mr. O's distended abdomen and associated pain). It provides a concise and focused description of the situation, which is important in effectively communicating with other healthcare professionals.

8. Scenario #1 Mr. O is 63 years old. He was dizzy and light-headed at home and almost fell. His wife brought him by car to the ER. Mr. O was admitted to KP DMC with syncope. This is not his first time being admitted to the hospital. He has been treated in the past for congestive heart failure and acute myocardial infarction. He feels like he is pretty healthy as he only takes NSAIDs at home for chronic back pain. Mr. O got to KP DMC at 1600. His nurse Betsy, RN. Betsy, RN assessed him and found his blood pressure 138/84, pulse 76 and regular, and his respiratory rate 16. He is afebrile at 98.6. Mr. O's labs were normal, but his IV infiltrated during transport. Betsy, RN started a new IV and put a warm compress on the old site. Betsy, RN reported off to Ben, RN at 1900. At 2130, the CNA found Ben, RN and told him that he had just helped get Mr. O off the bedpan. Mr. O had a large, black tarry stool and was complaining of not feeling well. Ben, RN asked him how he was feeling. Mr. O said he just didn't feel well and could not get comfortable. He asked if he could have something for his belly, he states "it's really hurting!". Ben, RN assessed his abdomen and found that it was distended and Mr. O had diffuse abdominal pain. He rated his pain a 6 on a scale of 1-10. For Scenario #1, which of the following statements is the best example of what's included in "assessment"?

The patient isn't feeling good so what should we do.

This isn't the first time the patient has been in the hospital. He takes NSAIDS at home.

I guess if you want to come see the patient to assess him you can.

The best example of what's included in "assessment" is the statement "My assessment of the situation is that the patient may have a GI bleed as a result of his use of NSAIDs for chronic back pain." This statement reflects the nurse's evaluation of the patient's symptoms and medical history, and suggests a potential cause for the patient's current condition. It demonstrates a thorough analysis of the situation and the nurse's professional judgment.

Explanation

The best example of what's included in "assessment" is the statement "My assessment of the situation is that the patient may have a GI bleed as a result of his use of NSAIDs for chronic back pain." This statement reflects the nurse's evaluation of the patient's symptoms and medical history, and suggests a potential cause for the patient's current condition. It demonstrates a thorough analysis of the situation and the nurse's professional judgment.

9. Scenario #1 Mr. O is 63 years old. He was dizzy and light-headed at home and almost fell. His wife brought him by car to the ER. Mr. O was admitted to KP DMC with syncope. This is not his first time being admitted to the hospital. He has been treated in the past for congestive heart failure and acute myocardial infarction. He feels like he is pretty healthy as he only takes NSAIDs at home for chronic back pain. Mr. O got to KP DMC at 1600. His nurse Betsy, RN. Betsy, RN assessed him and found his blood pressure 138/84, pulse 76 and regular, and his respiratory rate 16. He is afebrile at 98.6. Mr. O's labs were normal, but his IV infiltrated during transport. Betsy, RN started a new IV and put a warm compress on the old site. Betsy, RN reported off to Ben, RN at 1900. At 2130, the CNA found Ben, RN and told him that he had just helped get Mr. O off the bedpan. Mr. O had a large, black tarry stool and was complaining of not feeling well. Ben, RN asked him how he was feeling. Mr. O said he just didn't feel well and could not get comfortable. He asked if he could have something for his belly, he states "it's really hurting!". Ben, RN assessed his abdomen and found that it was distended and Mr. O had diffuse abdominal pain. He rated his pain a 6 on a scale of 1-10. For Scenario #1, which of the following statements is the best example of what's included in "background"?

The patient is in the hospital because of syncope. His abodmen is distended and he had large black tarry stool.

He had a large black stool, his IV was infiltrated in the ED, and he fell at home.

Mr. O has CHF and MI in the past, he also fell at home and his BP is 94/66

The best example of what's included in the "background" is that the patient is in the hospital because of syncope and he has a distended abdomen and large black tarry stool. This information provides context about the patient's current condition and symptoms, which is relevant for understanding the overall situation. The patient's history of CHF and MI, as well as the fact that he fell at home and his IV was infiltrated, are not directly related to the current issue of syncope and abdominal symptoms.

Explanation

The best example of what's included in the "background" is that the patient is in the hospital because of syncope and he has a distended abdomen and large black tarry stool. This information provides context about the patient's current condition and symptoms, which is relevant for understanding the overall situation. The patient's history of CHF and MI, as well as the fact that he fell at home and his IV was infiltrated, are not directly related to the current issue of syncope and abdominal symptoms.

Sbar Competency