Final answer:
The nurse should use SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) as a structured communication tool to provide an effective change of shift report for continuity of care. Lab values like potassium levels may be part of the SBAR report, but they are not communication tools.
Step-by-step explanation:
When preparing a change of shift report to communicate continuity of care, a nurse should use SBAR, which stands for Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation. This tool ensures a structured and efficient handover by clearly outlining the patient's current condition (Situation), relevant medical background (Background), the current assessment of the patient (Assessment), and the recommended actions or care plan going forward (Recommendation). This method aids in preventing miscommunication and ensures quality transition of care.
The options C) Potassium 5.4 mEq/L and D) Potassium 15.4 mEq/L refer to lab values, specifically potassium levels in the blood, which may be included in the report but are not tools or documents for communication. It's important that nurses verify any IV medications or solutions, such as 0.5% KCl, are prepared according to the physician's orders before they are administered to ensure patient safety.