PEBC MCQ Communication, Collaboration & Documentation question: hospital pharmacist calls a busy physician about a patient's potassium

PEBC MCQCommunication, Collaboration & Documentation

A hospital pharmacist calls a busy physician about a patient's potassium of 6.2 mmol/L on spironolactone and an ACE inhibitor. Which structure is recommended for this urgent communication?

a. SBAR: situation, background, assessment, recommendation
b. PQRST: provokes, quality, radiates, severity, time
c. OARS: open questions, affirmations, reflections, summaries
d. SOAP: subjective, objective, assessment, plan

Show the answer and explanation

Answer: a. SBAR: situation, background, assessment, recommendation

SBAR is a standardised framework for concise, urgent interprofessional communication: state the situation, give relevant background, share your assessment and make a clear recommendation (for example holding spironolactone and treating hyperkalemia). SOAP is a documentation format, OARS a motivational interviewing technique, and PQRST a symptom-assessment mnemonic. Source: Healthcare Excellence Canada (formerly CPSI), SBAR tool (2022); Accreditation Canada ROP on information transfer at care transitions (2024).

Common mistake

Confusing documentation and communication frameworks.

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