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Quizzes > Health & Medicine

SBAR practice questions: communication skills quiz for nurses

Quick, free SBAR communication quiz with realistic scenarios. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Aelion RybalkoUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for SBAR nursing quiz on dark blue background showing Situation Background Assessment Recommendation

This quiz helps you practice SBAR communication so you can give clear, structured handoffs. Work through short scenarios to sharpen what you share for Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation, then see where to improve. For more support, try the therapeutic communication quiz, review nursing assessment questions, or check your basics with an effective communication quiz.

What does the "S" in SBAR stand for?
Sequence
Safety
Situation
Summary
The"S" in SBAR stands for Situation, which is the part where the health professional concisely states the current issue. It frames the problem and catches the listener's attention. Clear situation statements help avoid miscommunication.
What is the primary purpose of using SBAR in healthcare communication?
To standardize critical communication
To order medical supplies
To document billing codes
To train patients on self-care
SBAR was developed to standardize communication during handoffs and critical conversations. It reduces information gaps and promotes clarity. Proper use of SBAR can decrease errors and improve patient safety.
Which information is most appropriate to include in the Background section of SBAR?
Future discharge plans
Patient's relevant medical history and allergies
Clinician's personal opinion
Current blood pressure reading
Background should contain context, including past medical history, allergies, and significant factors. It sets the stage for why the situation is occurring. Including relevant background prevents overlooking key details.
Which section of SBAR includes your clinical impression or analysis of the patient's condition?
Assessment
Recommendation
Background
Situation
The Assessment section is where the clinician provides their professional evaluation and interpretation of the situation. It bridges background data and recommendations. A clear assessment guides appropriate next steps.
In the Recommendation portion of SBAR, which of the following is most appropriate?
Suggest a specific action, such as administering antibiotics
List all lab values again
Describe the patient's childhood history
Restate the nurse's personal feelings
Recommendation should propose concrete actions or next steps, like medication orders or tests. It closes the communication loop and clarifies expectations. Vague recommendations can cause delays or confusion.
What is the correct order of SBAR when communicating?
Recommendation, Assessment, Background, Situation
Background, Situation, Assessment, Recommendation
Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation
Situation, Assessment, Background, Recommendation
SBAR follows the sequence: Situation (what's wrong now), Background (context), Assessment (analysis), and Recommendation (next steps). This logical flow enhances clarity. Deviating from this order can lead to incomplete or confusing handoffs.
True or False: SBAR is only used for nurse-to-physician communication.
False
True
SBAR is used across disciplines and roles, including nurse-to-nurse, nurse-to-physician, and interdisciplinary team communications. It's a universal tool to reduce errors and enhance patient safety across settings. Restricting it to one pairing limits its benefits.
A patient's blood pressure has dropped from 130/80 to 90/60 and heart rate increased to 120 bpm. Which Situation statement follows SBAR best?
Yesterday his BP was higher and I think he needs something.
Background: he had surgery last week; now vital signs.
I'm calling because Mr. Jones's BP is now 90/60 and HR 120, and I'm concerned about possible hypovolemia.
Mr. Jones is feeling fine and watching TV; now BP is low.
This statement clearly identifies the patient, recent vital signs, and concern in one concise sentence. It sets the stage for background and assessment. Unclear or rambling Situation statements delay appropriate response.
During handoff, which background detail is essential?
Nurse's favorite patient anecdote
Staff schedule for next shift
Time and type of last antibiotic dose
Room color and decor
Background needs relevant clinical data like medication timing to guide ongoing care. Irrelevant details can distract from patient needs. Precise background ensures continuity and safety.
Which statement is most appropriate for the Assessment portion?
The background was confusing; labs are okay.
I feel like we should wait and see what happens.
Everything looks fine except her hair seems dry.
Her increased respiratory rate and crackles suggest fluid overload.
Assessment should reflect clinical analysis based on data, linking signs to likely causes. Providing reasoning helps the receiver understand urgency and guides decisions. Vague assessments hinder action planning.
A junior nurse omits the Recommendation when using SBAR. What is the likely outcome?
Better teamwork because everyone decides together
No change because background covers it
Immediate patient discharge
Ambiguity about next steps and delayed interventions
Without a clear recommendation, the provider may not know what action the nurse is requesting. This gap can delay critical care. SBAR's strength lies in combining situation, assessment, and specific recommendations.
When the background information provided is incomplete, what should you do?
Clarify by asking targeted questions before proceeding
Ignore background and jump to recommendation
End the call and document no details
Proceed with assessment immediately
Clarifying missing details ensures safe decision-making and avoids assumptions. SBAR encourages closed-loop communication and verification. Accurate background underpins effective assessment and recommendation.
Which of these is best included in the Recommendation section for a patient with suspected sepsis?
His medical history is significant for diabetes
Nurse feels uneasy about his skin color
He has a fever of 38.5°C
Begin sepsis protocol including blood cultures and broad-spectrum antibiotics
A clear recommendation for specific interventions (blood cultures, antibiotics) guides immediate care. It reflects synthesis of situation, background, and assessment. Offering vague suggestions can lead to inaction.
What is a documented benefit of using SBAR in interprofessional teams?
Eliminates need for clinical judgment
Reduces communication errors and improves patient outcomes
Causes more interruptions in workflow
Increases paperwork complexity
Studies show SBAR reduces misunderstandings and adverse events by standardizing handoffs. Better clarity promotes team efficiency and safety. It does not replace clinical judgment but enhances how it's conveyed.
Which documentation tool aligns with the SBAR framework in electronic health records?
Medication reconciliation form
Free-text narrative only
SBAR template with dedicated fields for each section
Billing code entry field
An SBAR-specific template ensures each element is captured consistently. It guides clinicians to include Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation. Free-text alone may omit critical details.
Which of the following is a common barrier to effective SBAR communication?
Lack of hierarchy flattening and psychological safety
Easy access to standardized templates
Overreliance on electronic records only
Too much time spent on each call
Psychological safety allows staff to speak up without fear; lack of it hinders SBAR use. Hierarchical cultures discourage junior staff from giving recommendations. Addressing culture enhances SBAR effectiveness.
In which scenario might SBAR be less effective without modification?
One-on-one nurse-to-physician urgent call
Shift handoff at nursing station
A multidisciplinary rapid-response huddle with many speakers
Preoperative checklist review
Large multidisciplinary huddles may require additional structure or briefing beyond SBAR to manage multiple contributors. SBAR was designed for concise one-to-one or small-team communication. Complexity can dilute clarity.
Which outcome measure has research shown to improve after SBAR implementation?
Reduction in handoff-related adverse events
Higher rates of readmission
Increase in hospital length of stay
More medication errors
Multiple studies link SBAR to fewer communication-related errors and adverse events. Standardized handoffs reduce information loss. There's no evidence SBAR increases length of stay or errors.
Which element is essential to close the communication loop in SBAR?
Read-back or confirmation of the plan
Providing only situation and background
Listing all patient medications again
Recording the time in the electronic chart
Closing the loop with read-back ensures the receiver understands and agrees on next steps. It reduces misinterpretation and promotes accountability. Partial communication without confirmation can lead to errors.
A nurse's background section includes too much detail about unrelated past surgeries. What is the primary risk?
Faster decision making
Information overload leading to missed critical details
Improved comprehensive charting
Better understanding of patient history
Excessive irrelevant information can distract and prolong communication. Key facts may be buried, risking delayed or incorrect decisions. Effective SBAR focuses on what's immediately necessary.
When recommending a plan, which phrasing best exemplifies a strong SBAR Recommendation?
Her vitals are okay so no action
Maybe we should do an X-ray later
The background is complicated
I recommend we obtain a stat chest X-ray and notify the respiratory therapist
A strong recommendation specifies action, urgency, and recipient role. This leaves little room for misinterpretation. Vague requests lack direction and can delay care.
Which practice helps integrate SBAR into the electronic health record effectively?
Allowing only free-text narrative without structure
Embedding discrete SBAR fields with prompts for each section
Using separate paper forms only
Disabling SBAR templates to avoid clutter
Discrete fields prompt users to complete each SBAR section and facilitate quick retrieval. Structured data supports handoffs and analytics. Free-text alone risks missing elements.
Which adaptation to the SBAR framework enhances shared mental models during interprofessional rounds?
Conducting rounds without any standardized tool
Adding an 'I' for Identification (ISBAR) to confirm roles
Removing the Background section entirely
Using only the Assessment component
ISBAR adds Identification to establish who is speaking and who the patient is, promoting clarity in team settings. It fosters mutual understanding of roles and responsibilities. This adaptation is backed by research in critical care communication.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Apply SBAR Protocol -

    Use the SBAR framework to structure clinical handoffs by clearly defining the Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation in nursing scenarios.

  2. Analyze SBAR Scenarios -

    Examine real-world case studies to distinguish key patient data and communication cues relevant to each SBAR component.

  3. Articulate Clear Recommendations -

    Formulate concise and actionable recommendations for patient care based on a thorough SBAR assessment.

  4. Evaluate Communication Accuracy -

    Assess your responses in the SBAR nursing quiz to pinpoint strengths and areas for improvement in clinical communication.

  5. Refine SBAR Skills -

    Implement targeted feedback from the practice SBAR protocol exercises to enhance your confidence and proficiency in handoffs.

Cheat Sheet

  1. SBAR Framework Overview -

    SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) is a standardized communication tool endorsed by The Joint Commission to streamline clinical handoffs and reduce errors. A handy mnemonic is "Some Bunnies Are Radical" to remember each component in order. Consistent use improves clarity and patient safety in high-stress scenarios.

  2. Crafting a Clear Situation Statement -

    Begin with patient identifiers, the immediate issue, and time frame (e.g., "Mrs. Lee, 65-year-old post-op with new onset hypotension since 0800"). The National Health Service recommends limiting Situation to one or two concise sentences. Precision here sets the stage for efficient, goal-directed follow-up.

  3. Focusing on Pertinent Background -

    Include only relevant medical history, current medications, allergies, and recent labs (e.g., "Admitted for pneumonia, on IV vancomycin, allergic to penicillin, WBC 14,000"). Johns Hopkins Medicine advises using a checklist like "A-MAL" (Allergies, Medications, Admission labs). This targeted background prevents information overload.

  4. Delivering an Accurate Assessment -

    Share your professional evaluation: vital signs, physical findings, and trends (for example, "HR 120, BP 88/54, mottled skin, decreased urine output"). Evidence from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement highlights that data-driven assessments bolster credibility. Tie observations back to the Situation and Background for coherence.

  5. Formulating Actionable Recommendations -

    Suggest specific next steps, such as ordering an EKG, adjusting IV fluids, or requesting rapid response ("Recommend stat EKG and 250 mL bolus NS, reassess in 15 minutes"). The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality notes that clear directives empower collaborative decision-making. Always end on a proactive note to drive timely interventions.

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