What it means
An exam phrase for reporting to the physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant who orders care. On the NCLEX it is one possible action among others, such as assessing further or acting first within nursing scope. Reporting is needed for findings that need a new order or the provider's decision, but a nurse first acts to keep the client safe, for example by stopping an infusion or raising the head of the bed.
For the nurse
Use SBAR when reporting: Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation. Have the client's vital signs, recent findings and the chart ready.
At a glance
| Also written | notify the primary health care provider, notify the provider, notifies the health care provider, notifies the provider, notify the health-care provider |
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Related terms
assess
To gather information about a client by looking, listening, asking, measuring and examining.
health care provider
The licensed professional who diagnoses and prescribes for a client, such as a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant.
SBAR
A four-part way to report about a client: situation, background, assessment and recommendation.