In SBAR communication, which phrase is an appropriate initial statement?

Prepare for the AACN Essentials of Critical Care Nursing Test. Study with multiple choice questions and thorough explanations. Ace your test effortlessly!

Multiple Choice

In SBAR communication, which phrase is an appropriate initial statement?

Explanation:
In SBAR, the first statement should clearly present the situation that requires attention, without jumping to conclusions. Saying “I am concerned about…” does just that: it flags that there is an issue needing the team’s awareness and prompts a focused follow-up with Background, then Assessment, and finally Recommendation. It conveys urgency and invites discussion rather than assuming a diagnosis or issuing a directive. The other phrasings tend to place the focus on background details, a request, or a premature conclusion. Beginning with background (“The patient’s immediate history is…”) shifts to what happened rather than what needs attention now. A request (“I would like you to…”) moves into a directive before the issue is clearly stated. Stating a conclusion about what the problem is (“I think the problem is…”) editorializes the issue and fits better in Assessment rather than the opening Situation. So starting with “I am concerned about…” aligns with SBAR by front-loading the concern that kicks off a concise, action-oriented handoff.

In SBAR, the first statement should clearly present the situation that requires attention, without jumping to conclusions. Saying “I am concerned about…” does just that: it flags that there is an issue needing the team’s awareness and prompts a focused follow-up with Background, then Assessment, and finally Recommendation. It conveys urgency and invites discussion rather than assuming a diagnosis or issuing a directive.

The other phrasings tend to place the focus on background details, a request, or a premature conclusion. Beginning with background (“The patient’s immediate history is…”) shifts to what happened rather than what needs attention now. A request (“I would like you to…”) moves into a directive before the issue is clearly stated. Stating a conclusion about what the problem is (“I think the problem is…”) editorializes the issue and fits better in Assessment rather than the opening Situation.

So starting with “I am concerned about…” aligns with SBAR by front-loading the concern that kicks off a concise, action-oriented handoff.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy