Pharmacology - Practical Grading Criteria
Pharmacology - Practical Grading Criteria
Completion requirements
**Pharmacology Assessment Rubric**
**OVERVIEW**
* Assessment Name: Pharmacology Practical Assessment
* Total Points Available: 100 points
* Weight in Final Grade: 20%
* Assessment Format: Clinical Skills, Case Studies, and Written Exam
**GRADING SCALE**
* Letter Grade Breakdown:
+ A: 90-100%
+ B: 80-89%
+ C: 70-79%
+ D: 60-69%
+ F: Below 60%
* Percentage Ranges:
+ A (90-100%): Exceptional
+ B (80-89%): Strong
+ C (70-79%): Satisfactory
+ D (60-69%): Needs Improvement
+ F (Below 60%): Unsatisfactory
* Pass/Fail Threshold: 70%
* Honors Designation: Available for students achieving an A grade (90-100%)
**DETAILED RUBRIC**
1. **Pharmacological Knowledge**
* Description: Demonstrates in-depth understanding of pharmacology principles, including mechanisms of action, drug interactions, and adverse effects.
* Point Value: 15 points
* Performance Levels:
+ Excellent (12-15 points): Demonstrates exceptional knowledge, applies concepts to complex scenarios.
+ Proficient (10-11 points): Demonstrates strong understanding, accurately applies principles to scenarios.
+ Developing (8-9 points): Demonstrates some understanding, may struggle with applying principles to complex scenarios.
+ Beginning (<8 points): Demonstrates limited knowledge, fails to apply basic principles.
2. **Clinical Reasoning**
* Description: Exhibits sound clinical judgment, weighing the benefits and risks of medications, considering patient-specific factors, and prioritizing treatment strategies.
* Point Value: 20 points
* Performance Levels:
+ Excellent (16-20 points): Demonstrates exceptional clinical reasoning, consistently prioritizes patient-centered care.
+ Proficient (14-15 points): Demonstrates strong clinical judgment, effectively balances benefits and risks.
+ Developing (12-13 points): Demonstrates some clinical acumen, may struggle with complex decision-making.
+ Beginning (<12 points): Demonstrates limited clinical reasoning, prioritizes personal interests over patient needs.
3. **Pharmacotherapy**
* Description: Accurately selects and administers medications, considering patient-specific factors, contraindications, and potential interactions.
* Point Value: 30 points
* Performance Levels:
+ Excellent (24-30 points): Demonstrates exceptional pharmacotherapy skills, consistently selects optimal treatments.
+ Proficient (20-23 points): Demonstrates strong pharmacotherapeutic abilities, accurately administers medications in most scenarios.
+ Developing (16-19 points): Demonstrates some pharmacotherapy knowledge, may struggle with complex treatment decisions.
+ Beginning (<16 points): Demonstrates limited pharmacotherapy skills, frequently selects suboptimal treatments.
4. **Clinical Skills**
* Description: Demonstrates proficiency in clinical skills, including medication administration, vital sign measurement, and patient assessment.
* Point Value: 20 points
* Performance Levels:
+ Excellent (16-20 points): Demonstrates exceptional clinical skills, consistently demonstrates precision and attention to detail.
+ Proficient (14-15 points): Demonstrates strong clinical abilities, effectively measures vital signs and administers medications.
+ Developing (12-13 points): Demonstrates some clinical competence, may struggle with precision and attention to detail.
+ Beginning (<12 points): Demonstrates limited clinical skills, frequently demonstrates errors in measurement or medication administration.
5. **Professional Behavior**
* Description: Exhibits professional behavior, including respect for patients, colleagues, and the medical team.
* Point Value: 10 points
* Performance Levels:
+ Excellent (8-10 points): Demonstrates exceptional professionalism, consistently exhibits respect and empathy towards patients and colleagues.
+ Proficient (6-7 points): Demonstrates strong professional behavior, effectively communicates with patients and colleagues.
+ Developing (4-5 points): Demonstrates some professional competence, may struggle with assertiveness or emotional regulation.
+ Beginning (<4 points): Demonstrates limited professional behavior, frequently exhibits unprofessional attitudes or behaviors.
**ASSESSMENT COMPONENTS**
* Written Exam (40%): Multiple-choice questions assessing pharmacological knowledge and clinical reasoning
* Practical Skills (30%): Clinical skills assessment, including medication administration, vital sign measurement, and patient assessment
* Clinical Reasoning (20%): Case studies and scenario-based assessments evaluating clinical judgment and decision-making
* Professional Behavior (10%): Observations of professional behavior during the practical component
**PERFORMANCE STANDARDS**
* Excellent (90-100%):
+ Demonstrates exceptional knowledge, consistently applies principles to complex scenarios.
+ Exhibits sound clinical judgment, prioritizes patient-centered care.
+ Selects and administers medications accurately, considering patient-specific factors.
+ Demonstrates exceptional clinical skills, precision, and attention to detail.
* Proficient (80-89%):
+ Demonstrates strong understanding, effectively applies principles to scenarios.
+ Exhibits good clinical judgment, balances benefits and risks.
+ Selects and administers medications accurately, considering most patient-specific factors.
+ Demonstrates strong clinical skills, demonstrates some precision and attention to detail.
* Developing (70-79%):
+ Demonstrates some understanding, may struggle with applying principles to complex scenarios.
+ Exhibits some clinical acumen, struggles with complex decision-making.
+ Selects and administers medications accurately, considering some patient-specific factors.
+ Demonstrates developing clinical skills, struggles with precision and attention to detail.
* Beginning (<70%):
+ Demonstrates limited knowledge, fails to apply basic principles.
+ Exhibits limited clinical reasoning, prioritizes personal interests over patient needs.
+ Selects and administers medications inaccurately, considering few or no patient-specific factors.
+ Demonstrates limited clinical skills, frequently demonstrates errors in measurement or medication administration.
**CLINICAL COMPETENCY CHECKLIST**
* Must-pass clinical skills:
+ Medication administration
+ Vital sign measurement
+ Patient assessment
* Safety requirements:
+ Adheres to sterile technique and infection control protocols
+ Follows proper handling and disposal procedures for hazardous materials
* Professional conduct standards:
+ Demonstrates respect for patients, colleagues, and the medical team
+ Maintains confidentiality and adheres to HIPAA guidelines
**FEEDBACK GUIDELINES**
* Students will receive feedback on their performance within 2 weeks of assessment completion.
* Timeline for grade release: Grades will be released within 4-6 weeks of assessment completion.
* Regrade policy: In cases where regrade is necessary, students will have the opportunity to resubmit their work. Regrades will be based on the same criteria as the original assessment.
**IMPROVEMENT PLAN**
For students not meeting standards:
* Remediation options:
+ Additional training or education
+ Practice exercises or simulations
+ One-on-one coaching with instructor
* Resources for improvement:
+ Textbook and online resources
+ Case studies and scenario-based assessments
+ Regular progress updates with instructor
**OVERVIEW**
* Assessment Name: Pharmacology Practical Assessment
* Total Points Available: 100 points
* Weight in Final Grade: 20%
* Assessment Format: Clinical Skills, Case Studies, and Written Exam
**GRADING SCALE**
* Letter Grade Breakdown:
+ A: 90-100%
+ B: 80-89%
+ C: 70-79%
+ D: 60-69%
+ F: Below 60%
* Percentage Ranges:
+ A (90-100%): Exceptional
+ B (80-89%): Strong
+ C (70-79%): Satisfactory
+ D (60-69%): Needs Improvement
+ F (Below 60%): Unsatisfactory
* Pass/Fail Threshold: 70%
* Honors Designation: Available for students achieving an A grade (90-100%)
**DETAILED RUBRIC**
1. **Pharmacological Knowledge**
* Description: Demonstrates in-depth understanding of pharmacology principles, including mechanisms of action, drug interactions, and adverse effects.
* Point Value: 15 points
* Performance Levels:
+ Excellent (12-15 points): Demonstrates exceptional knowledge, applies concepts to complex scenarios.
+ Proficient (10-11 points): Demonstrates strong understanding, accurately applies principles to scenarios.
+ Developing (8-9 points): Demonstrates some understanding, may struggle with applying principles to complex scenarios.
+ Beginning (<8 points): Demonstrates limited knowledge, fails to apply basic principles.
2. **Clinical Reasoning**
* Description: Exhibits sound clinical judgment, weighing the benefits and risks of medications, considering patient-specific factors, and prioritizing treatment strategies.
* Point Value: 20 points
* Performance Levels:
+ Excellent (16-20 points): Demonstrates exceptional clinical reasoning, consistently prioritizes patient-centered care.
+ Proficient (14-15 points): Demonstrates strong clinical judgment, effectively balances benefits and risks.
+ Developing (12-13 points): Demonstrates some clinical acumen, may struggle with complex decision-making.
+ Beginning (<12 points): Demonstrates limited clinical reasoning, prioritizes personal interests over patient needs.
3. **Pharmacotherapy**
* Description: Accurately selects and administers medications, considering patient-specific factors, contraindications, and potential interactions.
* Point Value: 30 points
* Performance Levels:
+ Excellent (24-30 points): Demonstrates exceptional pharmacotherapy skills, consistently selects optimal treatments.
+ Proficient (20-23 points): Demonstrates strong pharmacotherapeutic abilities, accurately administers medications in most scenarios.
+ Developing (16-19 points): Demonstrates some pharmacotherapy knowledge, may struggle with complex treatment decisions.
+ Beginning (<16 points): Demonstrates limited pharmacotherapy skills, frequently selects suboptimal treatments.
4. **Clinical Skills**
* Description: Demonstrates proficiency in clinical skills, including medication administration, vital sign measurement, and patient assessment.
* Point Value: 20 points
* Performance Levels:
+ Excellent (16-20 points): Demonstrates exceptional clinical skills, consistently demonstrates precision and attention to detail.
+ Proficient (14-15 points): Demonstrates strong clinical abilities, effectively measures vital signs and administers medications.
+ Developing (12-13 points): Demonstrates some clinical competence, may struggle with precision and attention to detail.
+ Beginning (<12 points): Demonstrates limited clinical skills, frequently demonstrates errors in measurement or medication administration.
5. **Professional Behavior**
* Description: Exhibits professional behavior, including respect for patients, colleagues, and the medical team.
* Point Value: 10 points
* Performance Levels:
+ Excellent (8-10 points): Demonstrates exceptional professionalism, consistently exhibits respect and empathy towards patients and colleagues.
+ Proficient (6-7 points): Demonstrates strong professional behavior, effectively communicates with patients and colleagues.
+ Developing (4-5 points): Demonstrates some professional competence, may struggle with assertiveness or emotional regulation.
+ Beginning (<4 points): Demonstrates limited professional behavior, frequently exhibits unprofessional attitudes or behaviors.
**ASSESSMENT COMPONENTS**
* Written Exam (40%): Multiple-choice questions assessing pharmacological knowledge and clinical reasoning
* Practical Skills (30%): Clinical skills assessment, including medication administration, vital sign measurement, and patient assessment
* Clinical Reasoning (20%): Case studies and scenario-based assessments evaluating clinical judgment and decision-making
* Professional Behavior (10%): Observations of professional behavior during the practical component
**PERFORMANCE STANDARDS**
* Excellent (90-100%):
+ Demonstrates exceptional knowledge, consistently applies principles to complex scenarios.
+ Exhibits sound clinical judgment, prioritizes patient-centered care.
+ Selects and administers medications accurately, considering patient-specific factors.
+ Demonstrates exceptional clinical skills, precision, and attention to detail.
* Proficient (80-89%):
+ Demonstrates strong understanding, effectively applies principles to scenarios.
+ Exhibits good clinical judgment, balances benefits and risks.
+ Selects and administers medications accurately, considering most patient-specific factors.
+ Demonstrates strong clinical skills, demonstrates some precision and attention to detail.
* Developing (70-79%):
+ Demonstrates some understanding, may struggle with applying principles to complex scenarios.
+ Exhibits some clinical acumen, struggles with complex decision-making.
+ Selects and administers medications accurately, considering some patient-specific factors.
+ Demonstrates developing clinical skills, struggles with precision and attention to detail.
* Beginning (<70%):
+ Demonstrates limited knowledge, fails to apply basic principles.
+ Exhibits limited clinical reasoning, prioritizes personal interests over patient needs.
+ Selects and administers medications inaccurately, considering few or no patient-specific factors.
+ Demonstrates limited clinical skills, frequently demonstrates errors in measurement or medication administration.
**CLINICAL COMPETENCY CHECKLIST**
* Must-pass clinical skills:
+ Medication administration
+ Vital sign measurement
+ Patient assessment
* Safety requirements:
+ Adheres to sterile technique and infection control protocols
+ Follows proper handling and disposal procedures for hazardous materials
* Professional conduct standards:
+ Demonstrates respect for patients, colleagues, and the medical team
+ Maintains confidentiality and adheres to HIPAA guidelines
**FEEDBACK GUIDELINES**
* Students will receive feedback on their performance within 2 weeks of assessment completion.
* Timeline for grade release: Grades will be released within 4-6 weeks of assessment completion.
* Regrade policy: In cases where regrade is necessary, students will have the opportunity to resubmit their work. Regrades will be based on the same criteria as the original assessment.
**IMPROVEMENT PLAN**
For students not meeting standards:
* Remediation options:
+ Additional training or education
+ Practice exercises or simulations
+ One-on-one coaching with instructor
* Resources for improvement:
+ Textbook and online resources
+ Case studies and scenario-based assessments
+ Regular progress updates with instructor
Last modified: Sunday, 9 November 2025, 5:47 PM