Case-based assessment in an online nursing pharmacotherapy course

Abstract

Objective. To implement and evaluate the effectiveness of case-based assessments in an online pharmacotherapy course for nursing students. Design. Four case-based examinations developed in parallel for the midterm and final examinations and designed to address potential barriers to maintaining academic integrity were compared. Assessment. The use of online, case-based assessments was successful in providing 4 parallel examinations that assessed case-based decision making while maintaining academic integrity and minimizing instructor grading burden. Conclusions. Using an online, case-based assessment strategy is effective and feasible for evaluating the clinical application knowledge of nursing students enrolled in a pharmacotherapy course.