Interprofessional Comm - 2026 SBAR Handover Mastery: Exam
2 - Questions with Correct Answers
100 questions
1. Interprofessional collaboration is associated with:
A. Worse outcomes
B. Improved patient outcomes, fewer errors and greater staff satisfaction
C. Increased errors
D. Lower satisfaction
Correct Answer: B. Improved patient outcomes, fewer errors and greater staff satisfaction
Rationale: Evidence links teamwork to quality. Collaboration also reduces burnout.
2. Communication failures have been identified by the Joint Commission as:
A. A rare cause of harm
B. Unrelated to patient safety
C. Only a problem in outpatient care
D. A leading contributing factor in sentinel events
Correct Answer: D. A leading contributing factor in sentinel events
Rationale: Root cause analyses frequently cite communication breakdowns. Standardized
communication reduces risk.
3. A common contributor to communication errors during busy shifts is:
A. Too much time
B. Too few patients
C. Clear protocols
D. Cognitive overload and frequent interruptions
Correct Answer: D. Cognitive overload and frequent interruptions
Rationale: Overload impairs attention. Structured tools reduce reliance on memory.
,4. Barriers to interprofessional communication include:
A. Shared goals
B. Hierarchy, time pressure, interruptions, jargon and different professional cultures
C. Standardized tools
D. Mutual respect
Correct Answer: B. Hierarchy, time pressure, interruptions, jargon and different professional
cultures
Rationale: Recognizing barriers allows targeted solutions. Tools address many of them.
5. Effective communication in health care should be:
A. Clear, concise, timely, complete and confirmed
B. Lengthy and vague
C. Delayed
D. One-way only
Correct Answer: A. Clear, concise, timely, complete and confirmed
Rationale: These qualities reduce misunderstandings. Confirmation ensures receipt.
6. The IPEC competency area of Values and Ethics emphasizes:
A. Mutual respect, shared values and patient-centered care across professions
B. Profit
C. Competition between professions
D. Physician dominance
Correct Answer: A. Mutual respect, shared values and patient-centered care across
professions
Rationale: Trust and respect underpin collaboration. Ethics guide shared decisions.
,7. Mutual respect among team members means:
A. Respecting only senior members
B. Ignoring junior staff
C. Valuing each person's expertise and contributions regardless of role
D. Competing for status
Correct Answer: C. Valuing each person's expertise and contributions regardless of role
Rationale: Respect enables honest communication. Disrespect suppresses information sharing.
8. The four IPEC competency areas in the 2023 version are:
A. Values and Ethics, Roles and Responsibilities, Communication, and Teams and Teamwork
B. Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning and Evaluation
C. Safety, Quality, Cost and Access
D. Leadership, Finance, Research and Education
Correct Answer: A. Values and Ethics, Roles and Responsibilities, Communication, and Teams
and Teamwork
Rationale: These areas include 33 sub-competency statements. They guide interprofessional
education and practice.
9. SBAR-R adds which final element?
A. Review of systems
B. Readback or response, confirming the plan or orders
C. Recheck vital signs only
D. Rest
Correct Answer: B. Readback or response, confirming the plan or orders
Rationale: Readback closes the communication loop. It confirms understanding.
, 10. "I think he may be developing respiratory failure" is part of the:
A. Situation
B. Background
C. Assessment
D. Recommendation
Correct Answer: C. Assessment
Rationale: It is the nurse's clinical judgment. Saying it clearly conveys urgency.
11. A nurse who uses SBAR but sounds hesitant may improve impact by:
A. Stating the assessment and recommendation directly and confidently
B. Avoiding recommendations
C. Speaking very quietly
D. Ending abruptly
Correct Answer: A. Stating the assessment and recommendation directly and confidently
Rationale: Confidence conveys urgency. Clear language prompts action.
12. A key benefit of SBAR shown in studies is:
A. Improved communication clarity and staff confidence, with associations with fewer adverse
events
B. Elimination of all errors
C. Longer calls
D. Fewer recommendations
Correct Answer: A. Improved communication clarity and staff confidence, with associations
with fewer adverse events
Rationale: Evidence shows improvements in communication quality. Effects on outcomes are
positive but variable.
2 - Questions with Correct Answers
100 questions
1. Interprofessional collaboration is associated with:
A. Worse outcomes
B. Improved patient outcomes, fewer errors and greater staff satisfaction
C. Increased errors
D. Lower satisfaction
Correct Answer: B. Improved patient outcomes, fewer errors and greater staff satisfaction
Rationale: Evidence links teamwork to quality. Collaboration also reduces burnout.
2. Communication failures have been identified by the Joint Commission as:
A. A rare cause of harm
B. Unrelated to patient safety
C. Only a problem in outpatient care
D. A leading contributing factor in sentinel events
Correct Answer: D. A leading contributing factor in sentinel events
Rationale: Root cause analyses frequently cite communication breakdowns. Standardized
communication reduces risk.
3. A common contributor to communication errors during busy shifts is:
A. Too much time
B. Too few patients
C. Clear protocols
D. Cognitive overload and frequent interruptions
Correct Answer: D. Cognitive overload and frequent interruptions
Rationale: Overload impairs attention. Structured tools reduce reliance on memory.
,4. Barriers to interprofessional communication include:
A. Shared goals
B. Hierarchy, time pressure, interruptions, jargon and different professional cultures
C. Standardized tools
D. Mutual respect
Correct Answer: B. Hierarchy, time pressure, interruptions, jargon and different professional
cultures
Rationale: Recognizing barriers allows targeted solutions. Tools address many of them.
5. Effective communication in health care should be:
A. Clear, concise, timely, complete and confirmed
B. Lengthy and vague
C. Delayed
D. One-way only
Correct Answer: A. Clear, concise, timely, complete and confirmed
Rationale: These qualities reduce misunderstandings. Confirmation ensures receipt.
6. The IPEC competency area of Values and Ethics emphasizes:
A. Mutual respect, shared values and patient-centered care across professions
B. Profit
C. Competition between professions
D. Physician dominance
Correct Answer: A. Mutual respect, shared values and patient-centered care across
professions
Rationale: Trust and respect underpin collaboration. Ethics guide shared decisions.
,7. Mutual respect among team members means:
A. Respecting only senior members
B. Ignoring junior staff
C. Valuing each person's expertise and contributions regardless of role
D. Competing for status
Correct Answer: C. Valuing each person's expertise and contributions regardless of role
Rationale: Respect enables honest communication. Disrespect suppresses information sharing.
8. The four IPEC competency areas in the 2023 version are:
A. Values and Ethics, Roles and Responsibilities, Communication, and Teams and Teamwork
B. Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning and Evaluation
C. Safety, Quality, Cost and Access
D. Leadership, Finance, Research and Education
Correct Answer: A. Values and Ethics, Roles and Responsibilities, Communication, and Teams
and Teamwork
Rationale: These areas include 33 sub-competency statements. They guide interprofessional
education and practice.
9. SBAR-R adds which final element?
A. Review of systems
B. Readback or response, confirming the plan or orders
C. Recheck vital signs only
D. Rest
Correct Answer: B. Readback or response, confirming the plan or orders
Rationale: Readback closes the communication loop. It confirms understanding.
, 10. "I think he may be developing respiratory failure" is part of the:
A. Situation
B. Background
C. Assessment
D. Recommendation
Correct Answer: C. Assessment
Rationale: It is the nurse's clinical judgment. Saying it clearly conveys urgency.
11. A nurse who uses SBAR but sounds hesitant may improve impact by:
A. Stating the assessment and recommendation directly and confidently
B. Avoiding recommendations
C. Speaking very quietly
D. Ending abruptly
Correct Answer: A. Stating the assessment and recommendation directly and confidently
Rationale: Confidence conveys urgency. Clear language prompts action.
12. A key benefit of SBAR shown in studies is:
A. Improved communication clarity and staff confidence, with associations with fewer adverse
events
B. Elimination of all errors
C. Longer calls
D. Fewer recommendations
Correct Answer: A. Improved communication clarity and staff confidence, with associations
with fewer adverse events
Rationale: Evidence shows improvements in communication quality. Effects on outcomes are
positive but variable.
