ASSESSMENT DESIGN

ON

NEUROVASCULAR OBSERVATIONS IN THE ORTHOPEDIC PATIENTS

1: General Information
1a Title: Competency assessment

1b Description: Assessment on neurovascular observations in the orthopedic patients

1c Target group: Nurses unfamiliar with orthopedic patients neurovascular observations
including but not limited to new staff, new graduates, and students in Orthopedic setting
at
Canberra Hospital
1d Assessment Type: Mandatory
1e Assessment Period: Ongoing according to nurses rotation in the ward
1f Name of the assessor and contact details
Betsy Rajeev
Registered nurse level 2 year 4
Ward 5 A, Orthopedics, Canberra Hospital
Tel: 0449082581
betsyrajeev@act.gov.au

2: Content
2a Assessment description and learning outcomes
Background
Prevention is better than cure. Therefore, early prevention and even early detection of
possible complications can save lives of many especially if the nurses remain vigilant in
documenting neurovascular observations in orthopedic patients. This assessment design
enable nurses working within orthopedic setting at Canberra Hospital to increase their
knowledge and understanding of Neurovascular observations and to successfully perform the
procedure in patients, pre and post surgeries, post injury and application of cast or traction.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this assessment, nurses will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a complex understanding of the key terms and concepts of Neurovascular

observations (NVObs) in Orthopedic Patients as outlined in the:
a. Handout on the related training session conducted in the ward
b. Self - directed learning package (SDLP) endorsed by ACT Health Staff
Development Unit (SDU) and its e-learning
c. Canberra Hospital, Standard Operating Procedure( SOP)
2. Apply this understanding to their nursing practice in performing neurovascular
observations in orthopedic patients.
3. Reflect critically on their own practice as an assessor of neurovascular observations in
orthopedic patients.
4. Implement the gained knowledge and skills in correctly assessing and documenting
neurovascular observations in orthopedic patients and identifying any deficits that require
prompt reporting to medical team
2b Competency Standards
The assessment design is intended for individuals who are accountable to practice according
to ANMC competency standards. The competency standards can be accessed from ANMC or
viewed at: http://www.anmc.org.au/ The final assessment is based on the individuals ability
to achieve ANMC competencies in conjunction with the performance level according to
Bondy Rating Scale (Faculty of Health-Bachelor of Nursing, 2014).
By the end of the assessment the participants will have developed skills and attributes in
1. Professional practice
The ability to undertake professional, legal and ethical responsibilities: demonstrating
appropriate knowledge and skills, recognizing legislation affecting nursing practice and
protecting individuals rights.
2. Critical thinking and analysis

The ability to evaluate information in an insightful way, reflecting on practice contributing to

professional development of self and others.
3. Provision and Coordination of Care
The ability to coordinate, organise and provide nursing care through systematic
implementation of nursing process.
4. Collaborative and therapeutic health care practice
The ability to establish, maintains, and properly concludes professional relationships, and
collaborates with multidisciplinary team members to provide holistic nursing care.
Personal attributes
As staff, graduates and students new to orthopedic setting, participants will develop the
qualities of critical thinking and reflective practice.
2c Prerequisites
The participants will have to
1. Attend the training session conducted in the ward on Neurovascular Observations in
Orthopedic Patients according to ward training calendar.
2. Identify the standard operating procedure (SOP) on Neurovascular Observations in
Orthopedic Patients from the hospital intranet under Act health policies.
3. Complete ACT Health Staff development unit SDLP on Neurovascular Observations in
Orthopedic Patients and the e-learning available at https://training.health.act.gov.au/client
view
4. Observe and if possible carry out Neurovascular Observations in patients on the ward
under supervision of a competent nurse at least twice prior to taking this assessment.
5. Undertake assessment of the return demonstration of procedure under the supervision of a
competent nurse before the actual date of assessments.

6. Familiarize the assessment design prior to taking assessments and to give any feedback
prior to taking assessments.

3. Assessment Resources
1. Handout on the related training session conducted in the ward (provided at the session).
2. Related ACT Health Self directed learning package available from staff development unit
or the assessor.
3. Related SOP available from ACT Health intranet
4. Neurovascular Observation Sheet available from ward folder cupboard.
5 Patients confidential record.
6 Competency assessment tool (could be obtained from assessor prior to assessment or
available with assessment design)

4. Assessment
4a Assessment overview
Assessment
item

Due

date

of Weighting

assignments

Addresses

Related

learning

competency

outcome(s

standard(s)
1,2,3,4

1.Short answer

Flexible

40 %

)
1,2,3,4

Questionnaire
2.Return

to be negotiated
Flexible
to
be

50%

1,2.3,4

1,2,3,4

Demonstration

negotiated

3.Reflective

To be completed

10%

1,2,3,4

1,2,3,4

activity

within three months

of

participant

placement
NOTE

The participants must take part in all assessment items, so that a decision of competence can
be made. Participants have to achieve 100% accuracy in assessment item1 and 2 and a
satisfactory score of 50% or above in assessment items 3 to pass the assessments. The
assessments is finally coded against performance criteria checklist against ANMC
competencies. The final decision will be either competent or not yet competent. Participants
showing a performance level of L1 in the final assessment is therefore, deemed competent.

4b Details of each assessment item

Assessment item 1: Short answer Questionnaire
Due date: Flexible to be negotiated with the assessor and the participants peer
Venue

: 5A, Interview room

Weighing: 40%
Purpose
This assessment task requires you to explain your complex understanding of the key terms
and concepts of Neurovascular observations (NVObs) in Orthopedic Patients and reflect on
own practice as an observer of NVObs in orthopedic patients.
Task
1. Recall the knowledge and skills needed for the assessment of Neurovascular observations
in Orthopedic patients as outlined in the
a. Handout on the related training session conducted in the ward
b. Self - directed learning package and e-learning endorsed by ACT Health SDU
c. Canberra Hospital Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
2. Answer 10 short answer questions to demonstrate your understanding of the key terms and
concepts and related skills in assessing NVObs in Orthopedic patients. utilizing your own
reflections during your supervised practice.
Word Count and time limit
Answers not exceeding 100 words. Maximum time : 20 minutes

Marking Criteria

Criterion
Unsatisfactory Satisfactory
Demonstrate relevant knowledge and skills in Score
less Score of 10
than 10
performing NVObs in Orthopedic patients by
answering 10 short questions recalling information
from assessment resources and related supervised
practice (marking done by a peer colleague).
Final score (rounded to 100%)

Assessment item 2: Return demonstration

Due date: To be completed within 3months of their rotation /placement or as negotiated
Weighing: 50%

Purpose:
This assessment task requires you to apply the theory of assessing NVObs in Orthopedic
patients to your nursing practice and carryout the procedure skillfully without supervision and
to reflect on your own practice.
Task
1. Apply the related theory in correctly assessing NVObs in Orthopedic patients using the
standard NVObs chart.
2.Implement the gained knowledge and skills in identifying any deficits in patients that
require prompt reporting to medical team and develop insight on own practice.
Marking Criteria
Criterion

Unsatisfactor

Satisfactory

y
Demonstrate the pre-procedure, procedure
and post procedure aspects of assessing Score

Score of 10

NVObs in orthopedic patients and identify less than 10

areas for improvement if any
Final Score (rounded to 100%)

Assessment item 3 : Reflective activity

Due date : To be completed within 3months of their rotation /placement or as negotiated
Weighing : 10%
Purpose : This assessment task requires you reflect on your practice as an assessor of
Neurovascular observations in orthopedic patients by applying the theory and practice of
assessing NVObs in orthopedic patients.
Task
1. Reflect critically on your own practice as an assessor of neurovascular observations in
orthopedic patients.
2. Implement the gained knowledge and skills in correctly assessing and documenting
neurovascular observations in orthopedic patients and identifying any deficits that require
prompt reporting to medical team.
Marking Criteria
Criterion

Unsatisfactory

Reflect critically on your practice

both

supervised

and

assessed

practice utilising relevant knowledge

and skills
Final score

rounded

to

100%

Score less than 5

Satisfactory
Score above 5

(Moderation of 2 marks allowed)

Performance Criteria
Participant name
Assessors name & Date

Work area
Designation
Assessors Signature in provided

Performance level

areas
L1 L2

L3

L4

L5

The participant demonstrates the related ANMC

Not
observed

competencies to the appropriate level of his/her

educational stage. The level of clinical practice is :
L1- of high and safe standard
L2- of safe standard but needed some improvements
L3- of safe standard but required many areas of
improvements
L4 - safe only with guidance
L5 - unsafe if left unsupervised
Performance Level

1. Professional practice
a. Practices in accordance with legislation affecting
nursing practice and health care
b. Practices within an ethical nursing framework
2. Critical thinking and analysis
a. Practices within an evidence based framework
b. Practice ongoing development of self & others
3. Provision and Coordination of Care
a. Conducts comprehensive nursing assessment
b Plans nursing care in consultation with individuals

L1

L2

L3

L4

L5

Not
Observed

and interdisciplinary health care team

c.Provide safe effective evidence based nursing care
d.Evaluates

progress

towards

expected

individual/group health outcomes

4.Collaborative and therapeutic health care
practice
a. Establishes, maintains and concludes therapeutic
relationships
b. Collaborate with multidisciplinary team members
to provide holistic nursing
Decision of Competence
Competent

Not Yet Competent

Participants Signature

Assessors Signature

4c Submission of assessment items

Item1: Assessment questionnaire should be submitted soon after the allotted time of its
completion on the negotiated date of assessment.
Item2: Completed NVObs chart should be submitted on the negotiated date of return
demonstration.
Item 3: Should be submitted using link in online site.
Apart from assessment item candidates should submit proof of completed self directed
learning package, elearning, proof of supervised practice and related assessment report by the
registered nurse who has supervised candidates return demonstration, prior to negotiated date
of actual assessment.

The participant should ensure the following information is provided with each assessment
item:
AGS No or Student ID:
Assessment name:
4d Supplementary Assessment
In exceptional cases, participants including new graduates and new staff could undertake
relevant assessments after 3 months of their initial placement. However, nursing students
have to liase with their clinical facilitator to organise their placements accordingly so that
assessment dates could be negotiated with the assessor.
4e Academic Integrity
It is required that the participants undertaking the assessment should adhere to the ANMC
Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses and Code of Ethics for Nurses. More information is
available at:http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines-Statements/CodesGuidelines.
aspx. Moreover, participants are entrusted to build on the work of others and it is important to
acknowledge use of others work as required. Practices such as disobeying in exam room,
plagiarism, cheating, and falsification of data are not acceptable and participants will not be
allowed to continue in the assessment process.

5: Responsibility of the Participant

5a Workload
The amount of time the participant needs to spend on studying to accomplish the assessment
task includes factors like his or her prior knowledge in orthopedic nursing, learning skill level
and learning style. However, it is assumed that the participant will require all together almost
nine hours to take part in learning and assessment activity with at least two to four hours to
learn the theory behind the procedure. Moreover, the participants have to observe and

perform the procedure at least at two occasions during his or her supervised practice in
orthopedics as well as undertake practical assessment by competent nurse prior to taking
actual assessment.
5b Reasonable Adjustments
Participants who need assistance in undertaking the assessment tasks due to disability; ill
health; language, literacy numeracy,cultural issues; or other circumstances should inform the
assessor as soon as possible so necessary adjustments can be made.
5c Participation requirements/ Withdrawal
Participants are required to attend the tutorial on NV Obs conducted in the ward by the
assessor on specified dates as allocated (as per the ward educational sessions). Also, your
commitment in completing the Staff development unit self directed learning package and elearning on NV Obs in Orthopedic patients and the related SOP will enhance your
understanding on the subject. However, a lack of participation in observing the procedure
during your supervised practice may result in difficulty in completing the assessment tasks
and even disqualify you from taking the assessment. In addition, if you are planning to
withdraw from the assessment tasks please discuss with the assessor.
5d Required IT skills
It is expected that participants will have the minimum IT skills in using e-mails and accessing
ACT Health intranet and relevant websites as outlined earlier in sections 2b, 2c and 4e.
5e Costs Involved
Assessment materials including the questionnaire and relevant NVObs chart and the related
assessment process is free of cost. However, participants might need to meet the cost of
downloading or printing relevant ACT Health intranet or website information.
5f Contact details

It is the participants responsibility to update your contact details with the assessor so that any
changes could be promptly communicated.

6: Participant feedback
Participants are encouraged to complete a feedback form which will be provided to the
participant prior to the assessment which could be returned in hand to the assessor after the
assessment tasks or could be returned to the assessors email.

7: Authority of this assessment design

Any change to the information contained in this design, should be discussed in writing to the
assessor of the assessment and if relevant could be considered after close consultation with
the Clinical Development Nurse of the ward.