Problem
Scenario: You are a nurse on the Medical-Surgical floor. Your patient is Ms. Smith, a 54-year-old single accountant. Ms. Smith had a total knee replacement of the left knee 2 days ago. She has a history of hypertension. When you check on Ms. Smith, you notice she has increasing dyspnea and is complaining of mild chest pain. She states this all started 1 hour ago and is getting worse. You decide to take her vital signs. Her pulse is 114, blood pressure 138/80, oxygen saturation is 96%, respiratory rate is 24. She is restless and short of breath. You are concerned that Ms. Smith may be having a cardiac event or a pulmonary embolism.
You know you need to call the physician caring for Ms. Smith. In the following questions, use SBAR to share your findings and voice your concern to the physician.
a) How would you communicate the Situation?
b) How would you communicate the Background information?
c) Give your Assessment findings
d) What is your Recommendation?