Administration
Assessment of Learning
WRITING EXAM QUESTIONS THAT TEST HIGHER DOMAINS OF LEARNING
Robert B. Supernaw 2001
EXAMPLE ABILITY STATEMENT TO BE TESTED:
Given a selected medical problem, the student will be able to select from a list, the most appropriate pharmacotherapy for the condition.
Level 1: RECALL (sometimes termed KNOWLEDGE)
- Recall items primarily test the recognition or recall of isolated information. Such questions require simple recall (from the student's memory). They include the recall of specific facts, definitions, generalizations, concepts, principles, processes, procedures, or theories.
- RECALL QUESTION: Which of the following medications has been demonstrated to be most effective in diminishing pain intensity levels in neuropathic pain?
- fentanyl (Duragesic®, Sublimaze®)
- gabapentin (Neurontin®)**
- methadone (Dolophine®)
- morphine (MSContin®, Duramorph®)
Level 2: APPLICATION
- Application items primarily test simple interpretation or application of limited data. Such questions require more than simple recall, but less problem-solving. They include questions that require translation into another for of specific verbal, tabular, or graphic data, and recognition of the elements and relationships among such data.
- APPLICATION QUESTION: Patient RL recovered from an attack of shingles approximately three months ago, yet has been experiencing significant pain from the condition. Which of the following medications has been demonstrated to be most effective in diminishing pain intensity levels in RL's condition?
- fentanyl (Duragesic®, Sublimaze®)
- gabapentin (Neurontin®)**
- methadone (Dolophine®)
- morphine (MSContin®, Duramorph®)
Level 3: ANALYSIS
- Analysis items primarily test the evaluation of data, problem-solving, or the fitting together of a variety of elements into a meaningful whole. Items at this level will ordinarily require examinees to make value judgments concerning the effectiveness, appropriateness, or best course of action for a particular situation.
- ANALYSIS QUESTION: Patient RL recovered from an attack of shingles approximately three months ago, yet has been experiencing significant pain from the condition. Gabapentin is given, but the pain intensity is not diminished. Which of the following is the LEAST likely explanation for the treatment failure?
- Gabapentin is not usually effective for post-herpetic pain.**
- The dose of the gabapentin may have been too low.
- The patient may not have been taking the medication as prescribed.
- Patient response to gabapentin is usually not immediate.