Task Description:  
The assessment portfolio is structured into three parts, each intended to comprehensively evaluate the scope and depth of knowledge developed over the course of the term.  
It critically engages with core domains such as quality improvement, clinical governance, patient safety principles and risk management—fundamental pillars of contemporary healthcare practice. This portfolio is designed to foster the development of higher-order critical thinking skills, with a specific focus on the evaluation and application of comparative imaging practices within the context of ultrasound and medical imaging departments. 
 
Level of GenAI use allowed: Level 2 
You may use AI for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.  
 
Part A  
Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) Cycle for an Adverse Event in Ultrasound  
As explored through the content in this unit quality improvement is a wide umbrella which many processes exist to improve quality and safety of cases as well as improved efficiency for health care organizations. 
Task:  
You are required to identify a potential or actual adverse event in the ultrasound clinical environment and develop a detailed Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle to address it. Your submission should demonstrate your understanding of clinical governance, quality improvement processes, risk management and patient safety principles in sonography. 
Length: Word count 850 (+/- 10%)  
Weighting: 30% 
Assessment Instructions 
Introduction  
Briefly describe the chosen adverse event  
Justify the relevance and potential impact of this event on patient safety and clinical outcomes. 
 
 
PDSA Cycle  
A. Plan 
Define the goal for improvement. 
Conduct a root cause analysis (e.g., fishbone diagram,5 whys analysis, flow chart). 
Propose an intervention or change to address the adverse event. 
Outline how you will measure success (identify data or indicators). 
B. Do 
Describe how you would implement the intervention in practice. 
Identify resources, staff roles, and timeline. 
Anticipate possible challenges during implementation. 
C. Study 
Explain how you would collect and analyse data to evaluate the intervention. 
Discuss what outcomes you would expect. 
Identify any unintended consequences or limitations. 
D. Act 
Based on your findings, propose next steps (e.g., wider implementation, modification of the intervention, further study). 
Suggest how you would ensure sustainability of improvements. 
Reflection  
Reflect on what you learned about quality improvement and patient safety. 
Discuss how this exercise could influence your future practice as a sonographer. 
 
 
Part B  
“Compare and Advise Case Study” (Short Response) 
Length: 
Word count 400 (+/- 10%)  
Weighting:15% 
Apply clinical reasoning and safety principles to answer questions based on two separate clinical scenarios. 
Scenario 1 
Patient: 28-year-old pregnant woman, 22 weeks gestation 
Complaint: Right upper quadrant abdominal pain, fever, and nausea 
Suspected Condition: Gallstones or cholecystitis 
Questions: 
Which imaging modality is most appropriate and safest for this patient? 
Justify your choice. 
Identify two key safety considerations relevant to this modality and patient group. 
Scenario 2 
Patient: 19-year-old male, motor vehicle accident 
Complaint: Loss of consciousness at the scene, now alert but confused 
Suspected Condition: Traumatic brain injury 
Question: 
Which imaging modality should be used urgently and why? 
Justify your choice. 
List two safety concerns for this modality and how to mitigate them. 
 
Part C  
Case Study Analysis  
Length: Word count 500 (+/- 10%) 
Weighting:15% 
 The purpose of this assessment is to identify, describe, and analyse the imaging characteristics of a specific disease process across multiple complementary imaging modalities (such as X-ray, CT, MRI, and ultrasound) and compare their roles in diagnosis, including strengths and limitations. 
 
Task 
Identify the disease being presented in the case. 
Describe in detail the typical imaging findings for this disease using at least two imaging modalities (e.g., X-ray, CT, MRI, Ultrasound). 
Compare the complementary roles of the chosen modalities in detecting and diagnosing the disease, highlighting their strengths and limitations and how they can be used together.  
Provide a conclusion reasoning which modality would be your first choice for this patient.  
Your response should be clear, concise, and based on your knowledge of the disease process and imaging techniques. Use clinical reasoning and supportive images to justify your answers. 
 
 
Presentation:

• Inherent requirement that is written in appropriate academic language, and free of grammatical and spelling errors.
• Your assessment should be submitted as a word document with 1.5 line spacing in 12-pont Arial font.

Referencing:
Your answers must be supported where relevant by in-text references. A reference list must be provided and the CQU Sonography Vancouver referencing must be used throughout your assessment. You are required to have a minimum of ten references.  

This assessment evaluates your ability to:

Apply quality improvement principles (via a PDSA cycle) to real-world ultrasound practice.

Demonstrate understanding of clinical governance, patient safety, and risk management in medical imaging settings.

Use clinical reasoning to select appropriate and safe imaging modalities based on patient scenarios.
Analyse and compare imaging techniques (e.g., ultrasound, CT, MRI) in the diagnosis of disease, including their strengths and limitations.

Communicate using appropriate academic language and referencing (CQU Sonography Vancouver style).

You are also assessed on your ability to engage critically with course content and present well-structured, evidence-based responses.

Assessment Overview:

Students will complete an online quiz designed to assess their understanding of the concepts covered in MEDS13010. The online test will include a variety of question types, including short answer, medium answer, and multiple-choice questions.

Assessment Instructions:

The test can be accessed through the assessment tab on Moodle. Students must complete the assessment within a designated 90-minute timeframe, and only one attempt is allowed. Once the test is started, it cannot be paused or restarted, so students must ensure they have a stable internet connection and are in an environment free from interruptions before beginning.

Content Coverage:

All unit content for MEDS13010 is eligible for examination in the online test. Students are advised to thoroughly review all lectures, readings, and materials provided throughout the course to prepare for the assessment.

Academic Integrity:

This assessment must be completed individually. Collaboration or collusion with other students is considered academic misconduct and will be reported to the Academic Integrity Unit. Ensure that all responses are your own work.

Timing:

The online test will be available during a specific period, as noted below. Students must complete the test within this window. Late submissions or attempts outside the designated timeframe will not be accepted.

Key Points to Remember:

Access the online test via the assessment tab on Moodle.
The test duration is 90 minutes.
Only one attempt is permitted.
The test cannot be paused or restarted once begun.
All unit content may be examined.
Complete the online test individually to adhere to academic integrity standards.
Note the opening and closing times for the test and plan accordingly
Support and Resources:

Please contact the unit coordinator or technical support team via Moodle for any questions or technical issues related to the online test. Review all relevant course materials and utilize available study resources to ensure preparedness for the test

Level of GenAI use allowed: Level 2 
You may use AI for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.  

The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment. 

For multiple choice and short answer questions, the answers will be either correct or incorrect and tabulated by the unit's online Moodle system. The remainder will be marked accordingly. 

Students must achieve a minimum mark of 50% to pass this assessment