Communication

In which situation would the SBAR technique of communication be most appropriate?

A nurse is calling a physician to report a client's new onset of chest pain.

A nurse needs to complete an assessment and vital signs on a client who has Alzheimer disease. How should the nurse approach this client to gain cooperation? Select all that apply.

Approach the client from the front. Use the client's name. Smile and maintain eye contact.

A nurse uses the SBAR method in a hand-off report to communicate to the health care team about the client. Which element should the nurse cover in the "B" section of the SBAR report?

Mental status

An experienced nurse has been working with a client with heart failure. The client's lungs were clear to auscultation during the morning assessment; however, the afternoon assessment revealed bibasilar crackles and tachypnea. The nurse calls to give SBAR report to the covering health care provider. In the final step of the report the nurse should:

recommend 40 mg of furosemide be administered because the client had improvement with past administration.

A client who underwent a hysterectomy 4 days ago says to the nurse, "I wonder if I'll still feel like a woman." Which response would most likely encourage the client to expand on this and express concerns in more specific terms?

"Feel like a woman . . ."

The nurse calls the health care provider due to changes in the client's status. Using the SBAR, the nurse is about to address Recommendation. Which statement appropriately supports this part of the SBAR?

"Will you prescribe a complete blood count to check the white blood cell count and a culture?"

A nurse is completing a health history with a client being admitted for a mastectomy. During the interview, the client states, "I don't know what to do. I am not sure if I really need this surgery." Which response by the nurse demonstrates active listening?

"You seem unsure. Tell me your concerns about your surgery."

A nurse is interviewing a client who has come to the clinic for a follow-up visit. The nurse notices the client does not make eye contact and speaks while looking down. How should the nurse respond?

Assume a position at eye level with the client and continue with the interview.

A nurse drafts an SBAR communication before contacting the primary care provider of a client whose condition has worsened suddenly. How should the nurse best conclude this communication?

Ask the care provider to come and assess the client The final phase of an SBAR communication involves making a recommendation. In the case of a client whose condition is worsening, this may entail recommending that the primary care provider come to assess the client. Asking whether the care provider is familiar with the client should occur early in the communication. The nurse should provide assessment data and possible diagnoses in the background and assessment sections of the tool.

The nurse is preparing to call a health care provider to report a significant decrease in a client's oxygen saturation level. What action should the nurse take first?

Obtain all needed information to give report. The nurse should obtain all needed information first before calling the health care provider, and use the ISBAR format. The nurse will need to document all the findings in the client's record, but should contact the health care provider before documenting due to the significant change in oxygen levels. Asking another nurse to stay with the client is appropriate, but only after all information is gathered.

Why is communication important to the "assessment" step of the nursing process?

The major focus of assessing is to gather information. The major focus of assessment is to gather information using both verbal and nonverbal communication forms. Nurses use the written word, the spoken word, and one-to-one communication with clients. Effective communication techniques, as well as observational skills, are used extensively during assessment.

The nurse is using nonverbal communication when caring for a group of clients. Which situation reflects nonverbal communication? Select all that apply.

The nurse is maintaining eye contact when changing a client's dressing. The nurse has a smile when being thanked for caring for a family member. The nurse is using a quiet tone of voice.

A nurse is performing an admission assessment with a non-English speaking client. Which actions can the nurse take to enhance communication? (Select all that apply.)

Use an electronic translator. Contact a telephone-based medical interpreter. Request assistance from an agency interpreter.