Which SBAR element is used to propose the plan of care or orders?

• A. Situation
• B. Background
• C. Assessment
• D. Recommendation

Answer: (D)

In SBAR, the part that communicates what should be done next—the plan of care or orders—is the Recommendation. This section translates the clinician’s assessment into concrete actions: the specific treatments or tests to order, the steps to take, who should carry them out, and by when. It serves as a clear, actionable plan that others can follow, reducing ambiguity and ensuring patient safety.

To contrast the other parts briefly: the Situation is a concise statement of the current issue, the Background provides relevant history and context, and the Assessment offers the clinician’s interpretation or conclusion about the issue. The Recommendation takes that interpretation and turns it into the proposed course of action.

Example: Situation: patient with fever and hypotension. Background: postoperative day 2, no known drug allergies. Assessment: possible sepsis. Recommendation: initiate IV broad-spectrum antibiotics now, obtain blood cultures, order lactic acid and CBC, and notify ICU team.