SBAR Examples for Every Nursing Unit
Seeing a well-written SBAR report is worth more than reading ten pages of theory. Below are three real-world examples from different nursing units — each showing how the same four-section framework adapts to completely different clinical scenarios.
Example 1: Med-Surg — Post-Op Cholecystectomy
Situation
Mrs. Johnson, room 412, 62-year-old female, POD 1 laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Reporting for end-of-shift handoff. Currently stable, tolerating clear liquids, ambulated twice today.
Background
PMH: HTN, Type 2 DM (A1c 7.2), GERD. Home meds: metformin 1000mg BID (held), lisinopril 10mg daily, omeprazole 20mg daily. Allergies: sulfa (rash). IV: 20g R forearm, NS at 75mL/hr. JP drain in place, 30mL serosanguinous output this shift.
Assessment
VS stable: BP 138/82, HR 78, RR 16, T 98.9, SpO2 97% RA. Pain 3/10, well-controlled on PO Norco q4h PRN (last dose 1400). BS active, no nausea. Incision sites clean, dry, intact. BG 162 at 1600 — covered with sliding scale. Voided x2, 650mL total output.
Recommendation
Advance diet to regular as tolerated per surgeon. Monitor JP drain output — call surgeon if >100mL/shift or changes to bilious. Anticipate discharge tomorrow AM if tolerating regular diet. BG check at 2100, resume metformin once eating. PT to reassess AM ambulation.
Example 2: ICU — Sepsis with Pressors
Situation
Mr. Davis, bed 7, 74-year-old male, admitted 36 hours ago with urosepsis from E. coli bacteremia. Currently intubated on AC mode, on norepinephrine drip. MAP trending down over last 2 hours.
Background
PMH: BPH, CKD stage 3 (baseline Cr 1.8), Afib on Eliquis (held). Allergies: PCN (anaphylaxis). Access: R IJ triple lumen, 18g L AC, Foley draining scant dark amber urine. Antibiotics: meropenem 1g q8h (started 0200 yesterday), blood cultures growing E. coli sensitive to meropenem. Code status: full code per family discussion this AM.
Assessment
VS: BP 88/52 (MAP 64 — was 72 at start of shift), HR 102 Afib, RR 18 (vent), T 101.4, SpO2 94% on FiO2 50%. Norepi at 12mcg/min (up from 8 at start of shift). Lactic acid 4.2 (was 3.8). UO 15mL/hr last 3 hours. Cr up to 2.4. Sedated on propofol, RASS -3. Exam: abdomen soft, warm extremities but mottled knees bilaterally.
Recommendation
Watch MAP closely — if <65 despite norepi titration to 15mcg/min, notify fellow to discuss adding vasopressin. Repeat lactic acid at 2200. Renal team aware, may need CRRT if UO stays below 20mL/hr. Next ABG at 2000. Family updated — daughter is HCP, phone number on whiteboard.
Example 3: Emergency — Chest Pain Workup
Situation
Mr. Torres, bay 9, 55-year-old male, presented 3 hours ago with substernal chest pain radiating to left arm. Currently on telemetry, pain resolved after NTG x2. Awaiting serial troponin results.
Background
PMH: HTN, hyperlipidemia, 30-pack-year smoking history (quit 2 years ago). Home meds: amlodipine 5mg daily, atorvastatin 40mg daily. Allergies: NKDA. Access: 20g R AC, NS TKO. EKG showed nonspecific ST changes V3-V5, no acute STEMI pattern. First troponin 0.03 (borderline). ASA 325mg given on arrival.
Assessment
VS: BP 152/88, HR 86 NSR on tele, RR 18, T 98.2, SpO2 99% RA. Pain 0/10 currently (was 7/10 on arrival). Repeat EKG unchanged. CBC, BMP, coags within normal limits. CXR clear. Second troponin due at 2130. Patient anxious, wife at bedside.
Recommendation
Second troponin at 2130 — if elevated, notify cardiology for possible cath lab. If negative, third troponin at 0130 per chest pain protocol. Keep on tele, call for any ST changes or recurrent pain. Heparin drip ordered but not started pending troponin result. Social work notified for smoking cessation referral.
Notice how each example follows the same SBAR structure but the clinical content is completely different. The framework gives consistency; your clinical knowledge fills in the substance.
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Unit-Specific Examples
Dive deeper with SBAR examples tailored to your specific unit:
- Med-Surg SBAR Example
- ICU SBAR Example
- Pediatric SBAR Example
- Emergency SBAR Example
- Postpartum SBAR Example
- Psychiatric SBAR Example
- Orthopedic SBAR Example
- Cardiac SBAR Example