Following SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation), you would first identify
yourself, then explain that M.M. is complaining of right-sided chest pain and is restless. For
background, state that M.M. is postoperative day 2 after ORIF of a fractured left femur. Give current
VS and details of his respiratory examination findings, including lung sounds, skin color, level of
consciousness (LOC), and any other assessment items that have changed and the time period of
those changes. Let the physician know that you have started oxygen at 6 L by NC because his Spo2
reading was 86%, and that the ECG monitor shows nonspecific T wave changes and tachycardia.
The assessment of the situation is that M.M. is experiencing an embolism, either a fat embolism or a
pulmonary embolism. You would anticipate diagnostic testing, initiation of anticoagulant therapy,
respiratory support, and transfer to an intensive care unit (ICU).