A nurse is preparing to transfer a client from the emergency department to a medical-surgical unit using the SBAR Communication tool. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the background portion of the report?

Choice A reason: This is not the information that the nurse should include in the change-of-shift report. The time the client received his last dose of pain medication is not relevant to the transfer to the rehabilitation facility. The nurse should document the pain medication administration in the medication record and communicate it to the receiving nurse.

Choice B reason: This is the information that the nurse should include in the change-of-shift report. The steps to follow when providing wound care are important to ensure the continuity and quality of care for the client. The nurse should explain the type, location, and condition of the wound, the dressing materials and frequency, and any signs of infection or complications.

Choice C reason: This is not the information that the nurse should include in the change-of-shift report. The client's preferred time for bathing is not essential to the transfer to the rehabilitation facility. The nurse should respect the client's preferences and routines, but they are not a priority for the report.

Choice D reason: This is not the information that the nurse should include in the change-of-shift report. The belief that the client has a difficult relationship with his son is not based on facts and may be biased or inaccurate. The nurse should avoid making assumptions or judgments about the client's family dynamics and focus on the objective data and the client's needs.

The correct answer is: d.

Choice A reason: An allergy to penicillin requiring an alternative antibiotic to be prescribed is a common and expected variation in care. Allergies are patient-specific factors that must be accommodated within the care pathway. The need for an alternative antibiotic does not typically constitute a variance that requires reporting, as adjustments for allergies are part of personalized care planning.

Choice B reason: Initiating antibiotic therapy 2 hours after implementation of the care pathway may not require a variance report if it falls within the acceptable time frame for antibiotic administration. The timing of antibiotic therapy can be critical, but slight deviations are often accounted for within the care pathway guidelines. However, if the care pathway specifies a narrower time frame for initiation, then this could be a reportable variance.

Choice C reason: Changing the route of antibiotic therapy from IV to PO (oral) is a clinical decision that may be based on the patient's condition, progress, and ability to tolerate oral medications. This switch is a part of antimicrobial stewardship and is often encouraged when clinically appropriate to reduce IV line use and potential complications. It is a standard practice and does not typically require a variance report unless the change contradicts a specific protocol in the care pathway.

Choice D reason: Obtaining a blood culture after the initiation of antibiotic therapy is a significant variance from the standard care pathway. Blood cultures should be obtained before starting antibiotics to accurately identify the causative organisms and their antibiotic sensitivities. Starting antibiotics before obtaining blood cultures can reduce the likelihood of growing the bacteria in the culture, potentially leading to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. This is a deviation from the standard of care that requires a variance report.