SBAR examples nurses can actually steal
Word-for-word SBAR scripts for the calls and handoffs you’ll really make — chest pain, a fall, low urine output, a confused post-op, and a clean shift-change report. Read one out loud before you pick up the phone and you’ll sound calm even when you’re not.
Heads up: this content is educational and general in nature. It is not medical advice and does not replace your facility's policies, your clinical judgment, or guidance from a licensed provider. Verify anything you'll act on against approved sources.
These are illustrative communication examples, not clinical protocols — the point is to show you the shape of a good report, not to tell you what to do for a specific patient. Swap in your real assessment and follow your own facility’s policies. If you’re new to the framework, start with the full SBAR guide first, then come back for the scripts.
The 10-second recap
Every example below follows the same four beats: Situation (what’s happening now), Background (the context that explains it), Assessment (what you think is going on), and Recommendation (what you want). Keep it to about 30 seconds. The provider can always ask for more.
Example 1 — Calling a provider about chest pain
S: “Hi Dr. Patel, this is Sam, the RN for Mr. Howard in 318. He’s had new chest pain for about ten minutes, rating it a 6.”
B: “He’s a 64-year-old admitted yesterday for pneumonia, history of high blood pressure and a stent two years ago.”
A: “He’s diaphoretic and a little short of breath. Vitals are stable but I’m concerned this could be cardiac.”
R: “Can you come assess him? In the meantime, would you like a 12-lead EKG and a set of cardiac labs, and is it okay to give his ordered nitro?”
Example 2 — Reporting a patient fall
S: “Dr. Lee, this is Mara on 4 West. Mrs. Ortiz in 412 had an unwitnessed fall about five minutes ago. She was found sitting on the floor by the bathroom.”
B: “She’s 78, admitted for a UTI, and she’s on a blood thinner.”
A: “She’s alert and oriented, denies hitting her head, no obvious deformity, but she’s on anticoagulation so I’m watching her closely.”
R: “Can you come evaluate her? Would you like neuro checks and any imaging given the blood thinner?”
Example 3 — Low urine output
S: “Hi, this is Jordan, RN for Mr. Kim in 205. His urine output has been under 20 mL an hour for the last three hours.”
B: “He’s post-op day one from a bowel resection, and he hasn’t had much to drink.”
A: “His heart rate’s up a little and his blood pressure’s trending down. I’m worried he’s dry.”
R: “Can I get an order for a fluid bolus, and would you like a bladder scan to rule out retention first?”
Example 4 — The confused post-op patient
S: “Dr. Adebayo, this is Priya in PACU. Mr. Boyd in bed 6 has become confused and is trying to climb out of bed.”
B: “He’s 71, two hours out from a hip replacement under general anesthesia, baseline alert and oriented per his chart.”
A: “This is a change from his baseline. I’m thinking it could be anesthesia, pain, or low oxygen — his sat just dipped to 89%.”
R: “Can you come see him? I’d like to address his oxygen and check a blood sugar while you’re on your way.”
Example 5 — A clean shift-change handoff
Provider calls are urgent and short. Shift report is broader — you’re handing off your whole patient. Same four beats, more detail:
S: “This is room 310, Ms. Carter, 58, day three for a COPD exacerbation. She’s stable, on 2 liters nasal cannula.”
B: “History of COPD and diabetes. She came in short of breath, has been on steroids and breathing treatments, improving each day.”
A: “Lungs are still a little wheezy but better, sats 94% on 2 liters, blood sugars have been running high — last one was 240. Ambulating with one assist.”
R: “Keep an eye on her sugars and her oxygen weaning. She’s got a 0900 pulmonary consult, and she’s asking about going home tomorrow.”
What makes these work
- You lead with the headline. The first sentence tells them why you’re calling. No “sorry to bother you, so, um…”
- You actually give an assessment. “I think he’s septic” or “I’m worried this is cardiac.” Saying what you think isn’t overstepping — it’s the most useful part.
- You ask for something specific. An order, a visit, a test. Make the “yes” easy.
Get the printable SBAR template
A blank fill-in sheet for before every call. We’ll email it free.