A clinical nurse needs to urgently consult the palliative care advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) regarding a client with end-stage heart failure. The client is experiencing intractable dyspnea despite receiving maximal medical management. In what order should the nurse deliver the following statements to adhere to the Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation (SBAR) communication tool?
- 1Hello, I am calling about the client in room 310 who is experiencing severe, unrelenting shortness of breath.
- 2The client has a history of end-stage heart failure, was admitted on Tuesday for severe fluid overload, and has not responded to maximum doses of intravenous diuretics.
- 3Current vital signs show a respiratory rate of 34 breaths per minute and an oxygen saturation of 85% on a non-rebreather mask. The client appears to be in acute respiratory distress.
- 4I would like you to evaluate the client for the initiation of palliative interventions, such as a morphine infusion, to manage this severe air hunger.
Answer
The correct sequence follows the SBAR format: Situation (immediate problem), Background (clinical context), Assessment (current objective and subjective findings), and Recommendation (requested action).
The SBAR framework requires a specific sequence for effective interdisciplinary communication. It begins with the Situation (identifying the immediate problem), follows with the Background (providing clinical context), details the Assessment (sharing current clinical data), and concludes with the Recommendation (requesting a specific action).
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
The SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) framework is a standardized communication tool used to share critical information accurately and concisely within the interdisciplinary healthcare team.