In SBAR communication, which component provides the recommended course of action?

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

Answer: (D)

In SBAR, the part that conveys what should happen next is the Recommendation. After you’ve stated the current situation, given relevant background, and analyzed what the data show, the Recommendation section clearly spells out the proposed action. It should be specific and actionable: what to do, who should do it, and by when, along with any necessary follow-up or communication. This is what guides the recipient toward a concrete next step and helps ensure timely, coordinated care.

For example, after outlining the patient’s acute issue and the key findings, you might propose: initiate IV analgesia and monitor respiratory status, with reassessment in 30 minutes and a call back if pain or vitals worsen. This differs from the other sections—Situation describes what’s happening now, Background provides context, and Assessment interprets the data—because the Recommendation focuses on the exact course of action to be taken.