Assessment criteria LEVEL 6
This sheet will outline what we expect in your final assessments.
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT
Word Limit: 2000 (please note there is a penalty for any amount over this. The word count does not include reference list at the end)
This assignment is a single case study of a patient/client you have encountered in practice.
The aim is for you to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the pathophysiological processes associated with the patient/clients illness/condition, AND analyse the clinical rationale for the assessment/investigations and pharmacological intervention(s). In order to achieve the learning outcomes you will need to:
- Select a client case whose care you have been personally involved in.
- Introduce your case study explaining why you have chosen the topic. Introduce the patient. Some brief clinical details will be needed including signs and symptoms. More detailed information can be included in an appendix for example lists of medication the patient was already on and details of any relevant investigations.
- Describe further the symptoms and signs of the condition and how the underlying pathophysiology can explain these, relating it all to your patient. Where the case is particularly complex you will need to concentrate on one or two aspects giving your rationale for doing so.
- Analyse the rationale for the assessment/investigative process. These should be related to the pathophysiology to help explain why the tests are necessary.
- Demonstrate an in depth understanding of the pharmacological treatments including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and evidence base. The mechanism of drug action should be explained and how this works to alleviate patient’s symptoms – this might be due to correcting underlying pathophysiology or by affecting bodily processes to alleviate symptoms. Main risks of medication should be explained – again using a knowledge of pharmacological actions which shows understanding of why such adverse events occur. This should be backed up by research evidence – how common are these risks? Is your patient likely to experience the side effects? Relevant pharmaco kinetics should be related to the patient e.g. was the drug given SL? Oral/ IV? why? Was any dosage adjustment needed due to patient factors such as renal disease or age?
- Critique the effectiveness of these interventions/medication with reference to current literature, theory, and protocols. The evidence base for the treatment needs critical analysis. Did guidelines such as NICE help to determine choice? Do other guidelines make similar recommendations? Were there any patient factors which led to deviation from the guidelines?
- Maintain confidentiality and anonymity of patients/clients, family, staff and the environment in which the encounter has taken place
- the pathophysiology or pharmacology helped enhance your own practice.
- Maintain confidentiality and anonymity of patients/clients, family, staff and the environment in which the encounter has taken place
Submitting Your Assignment
Your assignments must be electronically processed: Use your UB number and Module Title as the title of the document. Use Arial size 12 font, margins set to 2.54cms. Use A4 size paper for written work, 1.5-line spacing and leaving a margin on the left-hand side. Using the footer function you must number your pages, and add your UB number on each page.
At the end of your case study document after the assignment, appendices and reference list insert a completed self- assessment form which is included in canvas. Include the number of words you have written, excluding list of references and bibliography.
You should reference your sources using the Harvard referencing system. Please use the Faculty’s Harvard Reference Guide.