Review the interprofessional handoff timeline and determine how the nurse should close an unresolved safety gap before transfer of responsibility.
Trend
Choose your responses, then check the answer.
Explanation
A handoff transfers both information and accountability. High-risk pending work must be named, assigned to a specific receiving clinician, and confirmed with closed-loop communication. The nurse should not assume that an electronic note alone transfers responsibility. When the receiving nurse identifies that no one owns the repeat potassium result, the gap should be resolved before physical transfer or through a clearly agreed safe contingency. Structured communication such as I-PASS or SBAR, plus check-back, reduces ambiguity but does not replace clinical judgment or escalation.
Correct Answer The unresolved trend is a transfer-of-accountability gap for a high-risk pending laboratory result.
Why It Fits The handoff mentions the infusion but does not identify who will review the repeat potassium or what action threshold applies.
Clinical Picture A receiving-nurse check-back exposes the missing owner before the client leaves the sending unit, allowing the team to close the loop.
Memory Link A handoff is complete only when responsibility is heard, accepted, and confirmed.
NCLEX Rule Name the pending task, assign an accountable clinician, state the expected time and escalation threshold, and confirm the receiver's understanding.
Why the Alternatives Fail A note left for later, a vague statement that someone will check, or transfer before ownership is confirmed can allow a time-sensitive abnormal result to be missed.
Sources
1AHRQ TeamSTEPPS Communication Module
2AHRQ TeamSTEPPS 3.0
32026 NCLEX-RN Test Plan
Transfer to step-down careA client treated for sepsis is ready to leave the intensive care unit. A potassium replacement infusion is running, but the repeat laboratory result and responsibility for follow-up are not yet clear.
Handoff — The transfer of information, accountability, and responsibility from one caregiver or team to another.
Check-back — A closed-loop communication method in which the receiver repeats key information and the sender verifies accuracy.
Pending result — A test result not yet available that needs an identified owner, expected review time, and response plan.