Shift handover for a resident with acute confusion
RN OSCE practice station

The task

You are the RN in an aged care facility. Ruth Thompson, aged 82, has a new fluctuating confusion and is awaiting a booked urgent clinician review. You are handing over to the next RN. Give ISBAR handover, include current safety needs and confirm responsibility for follow-up. Complete the supplied practice record. A second RN is available. You have eight minutes; describe and select physical actions in this online exercise.

What this station tests

• Ruth’s positive 4AT and acute baseline change remain unresolved at shift handover.
• Transfer half-hourly observations, supervision and the 10:30 GP deadline explicitly.
• Use orientation, aids, safe fluids and falls precautions rather than routine sedation.
• Re-escalate delayed review or deterioration before the planned time.

Sources for the clinical content

• ACSQHC: Communicating for Safety Standard
• ACSQHC: Delirium Clinical Care Standard

An original practice scenario with invented patients. Not an exam question.

Practise next

• Telephone escalation for worsening infection
• Calling from a clinic about sudden breathlessness
• RN handover after a minor head injury
• Calling for a child with increasing oxygen needs
• Telephone escalation of a falling neurological score