10 SBAR Examples for Nursing Scenarios
Last reviewed: by Jayson Minagawa, BSN, RN
Ten worked SBAR examples for common bedside scenarios. Each example shows a complete Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation walkthrough — the kind of handoff a working RN actually delivers. Pair this page with the SBAR Template Generator for practice.
I learned SBAR in nursing school the way most nurses do: a 1-page handout, a 5-minute lecture, and a 'now go practice.' That doesn't work. You learn SBAR by reading actual examples, then improvising your own. These 10 examples are scenarios I've personally given as SBARs across the last decade — pulled from ICU, med-surg, psych, and travel assignments.
— Jayson Minagawa, BSN, RNExample 1: Deteriorating med-surg patient (respiratory)
S: Mrs. P., 412, increasing oxygen requirement and respiratory distress. B: 67-year-old, COPD, day 3 of pneumonia, on ceftriaxone. A: SpO2 dropped from 94% on 2L to 88% on 5L NC over 4 hours. RR 28, HR 112, BP 142/88, temp 38.6. Coarse crackles bilaterally. R: Need urgent CXR, ABG, and consideration of step-down or ICU transfer.
Example 2: Post-op pain not controlled
S: Mr. K., POD 1 from open cholecystectomy, pain 8/10 despite ordered regimen. B: 54M, no opioid tolerance, current orders: morphine 4 mg IV q4h prn, oxycodone 5 mg PO q4h prn. Last morphine 30 minutes ago. A: Pain 8/10 sharp at incision, splinting, refusing IS use. Vitals stable. R: Request transition to PCA pump or breakthrough order. Pain is impeding pulmonary toilet.
Example 3: Fall on the unit
S: Mrs. R., 308, fell while ambulating to bathroom. B: 78F, admitted for pneumonia, on Lasix and lisinopril, history of orthostatic hypotension. A: Witnessed fall onto carpeted floor. No LOC. Vitals: BP 102/64 (baseline 130/80), HR 92, SpO2 97% RA. No visible head injury, no bleeding. Pain 0/10. Neuro intact. Skin shear noted on left elbow. R: Request fall protocol orders: q15min vitals × 4, neuro checks × 24h, hold Lasix, head CT if any LOC develops, fall huddle in 30 min.
Example 4: New onset chest pain
S: Mr. T., 514, new chest pain 7/10 substernal. B: 62M, admitted for pneumonia, history of HTN, hyperlipidemia, no prior MI. A: Pain started 10 min ago, radiating to left jaw, diaphoretic. Vitals: HR 102, BP 158/96, SpO2 96% RA. EKG showing ST elevation in leads II/III/aVF. R: Activated rapid response. Need stat troponin, aspirin 325 mg chewed, second IV access, cardiology consult, possible cath lab activation.
Example 5: Code status conversation needed
S: Mrs. L., 207, family meeting requested re: code status. B: 89F, advanced metastatic colon CA on hospice consult, currently full code. Family expressed yesterday that she has indicated DNR wishes verbally to them. A: Patient is alert and oriented today, able to participate in conversation. R: Recommend MD discuss code status formally with patient and family today. Social work and chaplain available if helpful.
Example 6: Critical lab value
S: Mr. C., 619, critical potassium of 6.8. B: 71M, end-stage renal disease, day 1 missed dialysis, on lisinopril. A: EKG showing peaked T waves in leads V2-V4, no widening of QRS. HR 68, BP 138/82. No symptoms. R: Need stat orders for calcium gluconate, insulin/D50, kayexalate, and emergent dialysis. Notified nephrology.
Example 7: Family member upset
S: Family of Mr. D. (room 415) requesting urgent meeting with MD re: care decisions. B: 84M, septic shock, on pressors, day 5 in ICU. Daughter and son disagreeing about goals of care. A: Patient currently sedated and intubated, unable to participate. Family requests palliative care consult. R: Need MD meeting with family today, palliative care consult ordered, social work for family support.
Example 8: Pediatric weight-based med error caught
S: Order error caught: pediatric vancomycin dose written for adult. B: Patient is 12kg toddler with osteomyelitis, admitting MD ordered vancomycin 1g IV q12h. A: Standard pediatric dose is 15 mg/kg q6h = 180 mg q6h, not 1g q12h. Order would result in 5x overdose. R: Order corrected with admitting MD. Pharmacy notified for ongoing weight-based verification. Med error reported via incident system.
Example 9: Calling MD at night for non-urgent issue
S: Routine page re: Mrs. F., 322, requesting sleep medication. B: 58F, day 2 admission for cellulitis, no sleep medication ordered. Patient reports she normally takes melatonin at home. A: Patient awake at 2300, requesting something to sleep. Vitals stable. No safety concerns. R: Request order for melatonin 5 mg PO PRN at bedtime, or alternative per provider preference.
Example 10: Travel nurse handoff to oncoming staff
S: End-of-shift handoff for travel nurse covering 4 patients on med-surg. B: All 4 patients within scope (2 post-op, 1 pneumonia, 1 cellulitis). 2 admissions expected this evening. A: Vitals stable across the assignment. Pain controlled on all 4. No critical labs pending. Mrs. P. in 412 is the highest acuity (see separate SBAR — being followed by hospitalist). R: Receiving nurse should know: Mrs. P. needs ABG in next hour; Mr. K. (518) PCA started 1700, evaluate efficacy at 2100; family of Mr. D. (415) requested update at 2000; patient in 304 is NPO after midnight for tomorrow's procedure.
Frequently asked
Can I memorize these examples and use them word-for-word?
No — every patient is different. Use these as structural references, not scripts. The structure (S-B-A-R sequencing, level of detail, specificity of recommendations) is what transfers; the content must be specific to your patient.
Are these examples HIPAA-compliant?
Yes. All patient identifiers in these examples are fictional. They illustrate the SBAR format using realistic clinical scenarios.
Why are some examples shorter than others?
Length depends on acuity. A simple sleep-medication request needs 30 seconds; a respiratory deterioration in an ICU patient needs 90+ seconds. SBAR is structure, not length.
Should I write SBARs in advance?
For predictable handoffs (change-of-shift, transfer of care), yes — using the SBAR Template Generator. For unpredictable events (new chest pain, fall, code), the structure becomes muscle memory after enough practice.