Provide an example SBAR statement for a patient with new-onset chest pain.

Provide an example SBAR statement for a patient with new-onset chest pain.

• A. S: Chest pain started 2 hours ago; B: History of hypertension; A: Vitals unstable with ST changes; R: Recommend EKG, troponin, and urgent cardio consult.
• B. S: Chest discomfort; B: No medical history; A: Stable vitals; R: Routine observation.
• C. S: Headache; B: History of migraines; A: Normal vitals; R: Reassess later.
• D. S: Chest pain improved; B: History of asthma; A: Vitals stable; R: Do nothing.

Answer: (A)

Understanding how SBAR works is key here. SBAR is a concise, structured way to communicate critical information: Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation. For a patient with new-onset chest pain, the most effective SBAR clearly shows why action is needed right away. The Situation component should state what is happening now and why it’s urgent. Saying the chest pain started 2 hours ago signals a time-sensitive event where rapid assessment matters. The Background adds relevant risk factors that influence the level of concern; a history of hypertension helps explain the patient’s risk for cardiac events. The Assessment provides the clinical signs that point to potential acute coronary syndrome—unstable vitals along with ST changes on the monitor or ECG suggesting myocardial ischemia or infarction. The Recommendation then translates those findings into a concrete plan: obtain an electrocardiogram, draw troponin, and obtain an urgent cardiology consult. This combination communicates the seriousness, the context, the current findings, and exactly what should happen next. Other options fall short because they downplay urgency or omit critical steps. For example, a routine observation with stable vitals does not reflect the potential for an evolving cardiac event in someone with new chest pain. Mentioning a headache or reassessing later misaligns with the expected path for chest pain, and “do nothing” is inappropriate and unsafe in this context. The best choice aligns with the need for rapid diagnostic testing and specialist involvement to prevent deterioration.

Understanding how SBAR works is key here. SBAR is a concise, structured way to communicate critical information: Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation. For a patient with new-onset chest pain, the most effective SBAR clearly shows why action is needed right away.

The Situation component should state what is happening now and why it’s urgent. Saying the chest pain started 2 hours ago signals a time-sensitive event where rapid assessment matters. The Background adds relevant risk factors that influence the level of concern; a history of hypertension helps explain the patient’s risk for cardiac events. The Assessment provides the clinical signs that point to potential acute coronary syndrome—unstable vitals along with ST changes on the monitor or ECG suggesting myocardial ischemia or infarction. The Recommendation then translates those findings into a concrete plan: obtain an electrocardiogram, draw troponin, and obtain an urgent cardiology consult. This combination communicates the seriousness, the context, the current findings, and exactly what should happen next.

Other options fall short because they downplay urgency or omit critical steps. For example, a routine observation with stable vitals does not reflect the potential for an evolving cardiac event in someone with new chest pain. Mentioning a headache or reassessing later misaligns with the expected path for chest pain, and “do nothing” is inappropriate and unsafe in this context. The best choice aligns with the need for rapid diagnostic testing and specialist involvement to prevent deterioration.