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PRESENTATION John, a 56-year-old occupation, previously fit/smoker/social drinker who is on his 5th POD following ... [e.g. right hemicolectomy], has showed signs of anhedonia, depression and fatigue. He has also showed some signs of positive core biological symptoms. Considering all of this, my provisional diagnosis is reactive (postoperative depression), I will also consider major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder. What will be your management? For mild condition Regular exercise Advice on sleep hygiene (regular sleep times, appropriate environment) = Psychosocial therapy -CBT Moderate to severe Regular exercise, advice on sleep hygiene CBT Medication -SSRIs High-intensity psychosocial intervention (CBT or interpersonal therapy) Immediate and considerable high risk to themselves or others: Admit to psychiatric ward (use Mental Health Act if necessary)

S — Situation “Hello, it’s David, the SHO on Ward 4G. I’m calling about Mrs Eleanor Thompson, DOB 15/06/1942, who is post-operative day 2 following a right mastectomy with axillary lymph node clearance. She has developed new right axillary swelling, discomfort, and mild shortness of breath, and I’m concerned about a possible early postoperative complication.” B — Background “She has moderate COPD, mild left ventricular failure, and hypertension. Her surgery two days ago was uneventful with 150 mL blood loss, and a drain was inserted. Since yesterday, her temperature has been slowly rising from 36.9 to 37.2 today. Importantly, the drain has had no output today, and the axilla appears swollen and mildly tender. Her daughter is requesting discharge today due to family childcare pressures, but given the clinical changes I feel this is unsafe.” A — Assessment “On examination, she has a swollen right axilla, mild tenderness, and no drain output. Her pain is controlled, and observations are otherwise stable apart from very mild temperature rise. Her bloods today show: WCC 10.2, Hb 11.5, platelets 230. My concern is a postoperative seroma, haematoma, or possibly early infection, or a blocked drain. Given her comorbidities and mild SOB, I also want to rule out cardiopulmonary causes.” R — Recommendation “I’d like you to review her urgently, please. I’d appreciate guidance on whether to: Attempt drainage (needle aspiration) or re-site/flush the drain, Start empirical antibiotics, Arrange ultrasound of the axilla, And confirm whether you agree she should not be discharged today. Could you please come to review her on Ward 4G, or advise on the next immediate steps?”

Model answer SpoilerC — SCRIPTED SBAR PHONE CALL (9-minute phone station — candidate lines) (Opening / identification) “Hello, I’m Dr X, a SHO from the Emergency Department. May I ask who I’m speaking to? … I’m calling about a patient called Jane Doe, DOB 15/04/1963, hospital number 0123456 — a 62-year-old lady who arrived 15 minutes ago with a suspected intracerebral haemorrhage. I’d like you to review the patient.” SpoilerS — Situation (short) “She has an acute left basal ganglia intracerebral haemorrhage on CT with intraventricular extension. She arrived 15 minutes ago and is currently in ED resus bay 2.” SpoilerB — Background (brief relevant items) “Key background: Atrial fibrillation on warfarin. Hypertension. Allergies none. On arrival her GCS is 13 (E4 V4 M5), left-sided weakness with power 2/5 in left arm and leg, blood pressure 210/112 mmHg, SpO₂ 97% on air. Point-of-care INR 3.2.” SpoilerA — Assessment (clinical status & investigations) “CT head performed shows a ~3.2 cm left basal ganglia bleed with intraventricular extension; no acute hydrocephalus on initial CT. We’ve given IV labetalol 20 mg once and started oxygen 2 L/min. IV access established, bloods including clotting and group & save sent. She is NBM and being monitored. I’m concerned about ongoing anticoagulation (INR 3.2) and the high blood pressure.” SpoilerR — Recommendation (what you want them to do) “I would like urgent neurosurgical review to assess for surgical intervention/need for transfer. I also recommend immediate reversal of warfarin with PCC and IV vitamin K — could you authorise this or come see? Please advise BP target and agent; if agreeable we plan to target systolic <140 mmHg. Finally, please advise level of care (HDU/ITU) and whether you want a CT repeat and timing. I can send you the CT images to review on PACS and have the patient ready for review now in resus bay 2 — can you come to ED or should we arrange transfer?” Close “Thank you — I’m able to give you further information or bring the patient to the neurosurgical unit if advised. My contact is bleep 321. Do you need any additional details now?” D — Examiner / Marking tips & likely questions to expect Key points examiners look for (communication and clinical content): Clear identification and succinct SBAR structure. Immediate recognition of reversible causes and time-sensitive actions: urgent reversal of warfarin (PCC + vitamin K) and BP control. Clear request for neurosurgical review and suggestion of level of care (HDU/ITU). Safe airway plan (NBM, prepare for decline), monitoring plan and clear escalation triggers. Appropriate documentation: CT findings, GCS, observations, anticoagulant status and INR. Likely follow-up questions the examiner/onsite consultant may ask (prepare short answers): “What is the exact CT finding?” → Left basal ganglia ICH ~3.2 cm with intraventricular extension; no acute hydrocephalus. “What’s her INR and when was last warfarin dose?” → INR 3.2 (POC); husband reports she took warfarin that morning. “What have you given already?” → IV labetalol 20 mg once; oxygen; analgesia; IV access; bloods sent. “What BP target do you propose?” → Target systolic 130–140 mmHg if tolerated; recommend nicardipine infusion if boluses fail. “Is she a surgical candidate?” → Unsure — needs neurosurgical assessment; size and intraventricular extension raise concern; recommend urgent neurosurgical review for EVD/consider decompression/transfer. Pitfalls to avoid in the station Missing anticoagulation status. Forgetting to ask for neurosurgery. Not naming a BP target or asking for specific reversal agents. Failing to document GCS or a change in GCS as an escalation trigger.