Communication And Handoff (SBAR) - NCLEX Pn

1. What is the safest action if a telephone order is given after SBAR and you did not hear it clearly?

   Ask for clarification and perform read-back before accepting. Seeking clarification and using read-back ensures accurate understanding of orders, enhancing patient safety.

2. What does the acronym SBAR stand for in a clinical handoff?

   Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation. SBAR is a structured communication framework used in healthcare to ensure clear and concise handoffs between providers.

3. What should you do first if you cannot reach the provider and the patient is unstable?

   Activate the rapid response team or emergency system per policy. Activating emergency protocols ensures timely intervention when the provider is unreachable and the patient's condition is critical.

4. Identify the best SBAR placement for this statement: "Request provider at bedside and order STAT ECG."

   Recommendation. This specifies desired actions, placing it in Recommendation to direct the provider's response effectively.

5. Which patient information is most important to prioritize early in SBAR for safety?

   Immediate threat, airway/breathing/circulation status, and code status. Prioritizing these elements early in SBAR addresses immediate safety risks and guides rapid, appropriate interventions.

6. What does closed-loop communication require after you give an SBAR recommendation?

   Receiver repeats back; sender confirms correctness. Closed-loop communication verifies understanding and accuracy, preventing errors in handoff or order implementation.

7. What must be included in documentation after an SBAR call that results in new provider orders?

   Time, who was notified, SBAR summary, orders, and patient response. Comprehensive documentation captures the communication process and outcomes, supporting continuity of care and legal requirements.

8. What is the recommended communication style when delivering SBAR to reduce omissions?

   Brief, organized, factual, and prioritized. A brief, organized style ensures key information is delivered without unnecessary details, reducing the risk of miscommunication.

9. Identify the best SBAR placement for this statement: "BP dropped to 86/48 with new confusion."

   Situation. This statement describes the current acute issue, fitting the Situation section to immediately convey urgency.

10. What is the best action if the receiver interrupts and you have not finished SBAR critical data?

    State you will complete SBAR, then answer questions. Politely insisting on completing SBAR ensures all critical information is shared before addressing questions to avoid omissions.

11. Identify the best SBAR placement for this statement: "History of CHF; on furosemide and low-salt diet."

    Background. This provides historical and treatment context, aligning with Background to build understanding of the patient's baseline.

12. Which option is the best SBAR recommendation: "Patient looks bad" or "Request evaluation within 10 minutes"?

    Request evaluation within 10 minutes. A specific, time-bound request ensures clear expectations and prompts urgent action compared to vague descriptions.

13. Which SBAR section should state the immediate problem and why you are calling now?

    Situation. The Situation section provides a concise overview of the current issue to immediately alert the receiver to the urgency.

14. Which SBAR element should include code status and allergies when relevant to the current issue?

    Background. Including code status and allergies in Background provides critical context that may influence treatment decisions related to the issue.

15. Which SBAR section should clearly state what you need from the provider or next level of care?

    Recommendation. The Recommendation section specifies the desired action to guide the receiver toward prompt and appropriate interventions.

16. What is the primary purpose of using SBAR during nurse-to-nurse handoff?

    To communicate critical information in a standardized format. SBAR standardizes handoff communication to minimize errors and ensure all essential details are conveyed efficiently.

17. Which SBAR section should include the exact request, such as "evaluate now" or "order X"?

    Recommendation. The Recommendation section promotes clarity by explicitly stating the needed actions, facilitating efficient response.

18. What identifying information should you state first when initiating an SBAR call about a patient?

    Your name/role, unit, patient name, and room number. Starting with identifiers ensures the receiver knows exactly who is calling and which patient is involved for accurate context.

19. Which SBAR section should include diagnosis, relevant history, and current treatment context?

    Background. The Background section offers essential context to help the receiver understand the patient's history and ongoing care.

20. What is the best SBAR practice regarding vital signs when reporting patient deterioration?

    Report the most recent vitals and the trend/changes. Reporting recent vitals with trends highlights changes in patient status, aiding in quick recognition of deterioration patterns.

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