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Assignment questions
Health Information ManagementResearch paperClinical decision support

DNP 805: designing a CDSS linked to CPOE

Two systems and one requirement: they must be linked in your design. Describing each separately answers half the assignment, and the half that does not need designing.

Editorial process

Last reviewed · August 15, 2026

01

The link between the two systems is the deliverable

The assignment asks for a design rather than a description, and the design's defining feature is the link. Computerised provider order entry is the ordering system — the clinician enters an order and it goes electronically to pharmacy rather than on paper. Clinical decision support is the logic layer that reacts to what is being ordered. Linked, they let a rule fire at the moment of ordering rather than at review afterwards, which is the entire point: an intervention delivered at the moment a decision is open changes it, and the same information delivered later does not. So specify the link concretely — what triggers the rule, what data the rule reads, what it presents to the ordering clinician, and what the clinician's available responses are. A design where the alert simply appears with no defined response options is unfinished, however sound its logic is.

Choose a clinical issue with a real rule behind it. Anticoagulant dosing against renal function, opioid prescribing with concurrent benzodiazepines, weight-based paediatric dosing, potassium supplementation with a recent potassium level, and drug-allergy checking all give you a rule with a data source and an evidence base. Then design the logic properly: the trigger condition, the data queried, the threshold, the alert's severity, and — most importantly — whether it is interruptive or passive. That last choice is where the paper should show real understanding, because alert fatigue is the dominant failure mode of clinical decision support: override rates above ninety per cent are documented, and an interruptive alert that fires on every order trains clinicians to dismiss it, including the one that mattered. Address it directly — specific triggering rather than broad, tiering by severity, presenting the reason rather than only the warning, and measuring override rates after go-live. Use primary sources published within the last five years as the assignment requires.

Likely learning objectives

Inferred from the brief — check these against your own rubric.

  • 01
    Distinguish the ordering system from the decision support layer.
  • 02
    Specify a decision rule with a trigger, a data source and defined responses.
  • 03
    Explain why timing at the point of ordering is what makes the intervention work.
  • 04
    Address alert fatigue as the dominant failure mode rather than as a caveat.
Assignment instructionsQuoted verbatim

Read the full question

Review every instruction before using the planning guidance that follows.

Details: For this assignment, select one clinical practice issue that involves a specific medication. Using a Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE) system, design a Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS) that would be embedded in the EHR at your site of practice. Your CDSS must connect with CPOE to include a medication. You must link these two applications within the design. General Guidelines: Use the following information to ensure successful completion of the assignment: This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion. Doctoral learners are required to use APA style for their writing assignments. The APA Style Guide is located in the Student Success Center. Use primary sources published within the last 5 years. Provide citations and references for all sources used. You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Refer to the directions in the Student Success Center. Directions: Write a 1,000-1,250 word paper that provides the following: Specific details of the clinical issue involving a specific medication DNP 805 Assignment Using CPOE and CDSS Essay The rationale behind your design development. A description of how this CDSS will be implemented and adopted by fellow clinicians. An assessment of challenges and proposed solutions which might apply to this scenario (e.g., information loss, communication breakdown). Portfolio Practice Hours: It may be possible to earn portfolio practice hours for this case report. Enter the following after the references section of your paper: Practice Hours Completion Statement DNP-805 I, (INSERT NAME), verify that I have completed (NUMBER OF) clock hours in association with the goals and objectives for this assignment. I have also tracked said practice hours in the Typhon Student Tracking System for verification purposes and will be sure that all approvals are in place from my faculty and practice mentor. Rubric Criteria Total100 points Criterion 1. Unsatisfactory 2. Less Than Satisfactory 3. Satisfactory 4. Good 5. Excellent Assessment of Challenges and Proposed Solutions Which Might Apply to Scenario Assessment of Challenges and Proposed Solutions Which Might Apply to Scenario 0 points An assessment of challenges and proposed solutions which might apply to this scenario is not provided. 8 points An assessment of challenges and proposed solutions which might apply to this scenario is provided, but elements are missing or incomplete. 8.8 points An assessment of challenges and proposed solutions which might apply to this scenario is provided, but the assessment is rendered at a perfunctory level. 9.2 points An assessment of challenges and proposed solutions which might apply to this scenario is clearly presented and thorough. Discussion is convincing and defines specific elements. Information presented is from scholarly though dated sources. 10 points An assessment of challenges and proposed solutions which might apply to this scenario is clearly presented and thorough. Discussion is insightful, forward-thinking, and detailed. Information presented is from current scholarly sources. Thesis Development and Purpose Thesis Development and Purpose 0 points Paper lacks any discernible overall purpose or organizing claim. 5.6 points Thesis is insufficiently developed or vague. Purpose is not clear. 6.16 points Thesis is apparent and appropriate to purpose. 6.44 points Thesis is clear and forecasts the development of the paper. Thesis is descriptive and reflective of the arguments and appropriate to the purpose. 7 points Thesis is comprehensive and contains the essence of the paper. Thesis statement makes the purpose of the paper clear. Argument Logic and Construction Argument Logic and Construction 0 points Statement of purpose is not justified by the conclusion. The conclusion does not support the claim made. Argument is incoherent and uses noncredible sources. 6.4 points Sufficient justification of claims is lacking. Argument lacks consistent unity. There are obvious flaws in the logic. Some sources have questionable credibility. 7.04 points Argument is orderly, but may have a few inconsistencies. The argument presents minimal justification of claims. Argument logically, but not thoroughly, supports the purpose. Sources used are credible. Introduction and conclusion bracket the thesis. 7.36 points Argument shows logical progressions. Techniques of argumentation are evident. There is a smooth progression of claims from introduction to conclusion. Most sources are authoritative. 8 points Clear and convincing argument that presents a persuasive claim in a distinctive and compelling manner. All sources are authoritative. Explanation of How Patient Outcomes Will Be Measured Explanation of How Patient Outcomes Will Be Measured 0 points An explanation of how patient outcomes will be measured is not provided. 4 points An explanation of how patient outcomes will be measured is provided but explanation is incomplete. 4.4 points An explanation of how patient outcomes will be measured is provided at a perfunctory level. 4.6 points An explanation of how patient outcomes will be measured is provided in full. Discussion is convincing and defines specific elements. Information presented is from scholarly though dated sources. 5 points An explanation of how patient outcomes will be measured is provided in full. Discussion is convincing and defines specific elements. Discussion is insightful and forward-thinking. Information presented is from current scholarly sources. Proposed CDSS Embedded in the EHR Proposed CDSS Embedded in the EHR 0 points Proposed CDSS is not embedded in the EHR. 12 points Proposed CDSS is embedded in the EHR but use is marginal or incomplete. 13.2 points Proposed CDSS is embedded in the EHR but at a perfunctory level. 13.8 points Proposed CDSS is embedded in the EHR in full. Discussion is convincing and defines specific elements. Information presented is from scholarly though dated sources. 15 points Proposed CDSS is embedded in the EHR in full. Discussion is convincing and defines specific elements. Discussion is insightful and forward-thinking. Information presented is from current scholarly sources. Paper Format (Use of appropriate style for the major and assignment) Paper Format (Use of appropriate style for the major and assignment) 0 points Template is not used appropriately or documentation format is rarely followed correctly. 4 points Template is used, but some elements are missing or mistaken; lack of control with formatting is apparent. 4.4 points Template is used, and formatting is correct, although some minor errors may be present. 4.6 points Template is fully used; There are virtually no errors in formatting style. 5 points All format elements are correct. Proposed CDSS Design Links a Specific Medication Through the CPOE Proposed CDSS Design Links a Specific Medication Through the CPOE 0 points Proposed CDSS design does not link a specific medication through the CPOE. 4 points Proposed CDSS design links a specific medication through the CPOE but effort is marginal or incomplete. 4.4 points Proposed CDSS design links a specific medication through the CPOE but at a perfunctory level. 4.6 points Proposed CDSS design links a specific medication through the CPOE in full. Discussion is convincing and defines specific elements. Information presented is from scholarly though dated sources. 5 points Proposed CDSS design links a specific medication through the CPOE in full. Discussion is convincing and defines specific elements. Discussion is insightful and forward-thinking. Information presented is from current scholarly sources. Mechanics of Writing (includes spelling, punctuation, grammar, language use) Mechanics of Writing (includes spelling, punctuation, grammar, language use) 0 points Surface errors are pervasive enough that they impede communication of meaning. Inappropriate word choice or sentence construction is used. 4 points Frequent and repetitive mechanical errors distract the reader. Inconsistencies in language choice (register) or word choice are present. Sentence structure is correct but not varied. 4.4 points Some mechanical errors or typos are present, but they are not overly distracting to the reader. Correct and varied sentence structure and audience-appropriate language are employed. 4.6 points Prose is largely free of mechanical errors, although a few may be present. The writer uses a variety of effective sentence structures and figures of speech. 5 points Writer is clearly in command of standard, written, academic English. Discussion of the Rationale Behind the Design Development Discussion of the Rationale Behind the Design Development 0 points A discussion of the rationale behind the design development is not present. 4 points A discussion of the rationale behind the design development is present but incomplete. 4.4 points A discussion of the rationale behind the design development is present but rendered at a perfunctory level. 4.6 points A discussion of the rationale behind the design development is convincing and defines specific elements. Information presented is from scholarly though dated sources. 5 points A discussion of the rationale behind the design development is convincing and defines specific elements. Discussion is insightful and forward-thinking. Information presented is from current scholarly sources. Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE) Used to Design a Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS)Com Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE) Used to Design a Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS) 0 points CPOE is not used to design a CDSS. 12 points CPOE is used to design a CDSS but use is marginal or incomplete. 13.2 points CPOE is used to design a CDSS but used at a perfunctory level. 13.8 points CPOE is used to design a CDSS in full. Discussion is convincing. Information presented is from scholarly though dated sources. 15 points CPOE is used to design a CDSS in full. Discussion is insightful and forward-thinking. Information presented is from current scholarly sources. Documentation of Sources Documentation of Sources (citations, footnotes, references, bibliography, etc., as appropriate to assignment and style) 0 points Sources are not documented. 4 points Documentation of sources is inconsistent or incorrect, as appropriate to assignment and style, with numerous formatting errors. 4.4 points Sources are documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, although some formatting errors may be present. 4.6 points Sources are documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, and format is mostly correct. 5 points Sources are completely and correctly documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, and format is free of error. Discussion of Specific Details of Clinical Issue Involving the Selected Medication Discussion of Specific Details of Clinical Issue Involving the Selected Medication 0 points Discussion of specific details of the clinical issue involving the selected medication is not present. 4 points Discussion of specific details of the clinical issue involving the selected medication is present but incomplete. 4.4 points Discussion of specific details of the clinical issue involving the selected medication is present but rendered at a perfunctory level. 4.6 points Discussion of specific details of the clinical issue involving the selected medication is convincing and thorough. Information presented is from scholarly though dated sources. 5 points Discussion of specific details of the clinical issue involving the selected medication is convincing and thorough. Discussion is insightful and forward-thinking. Information presented is from current scholarly sources. Description of How Proposed CDSS Will Be Implemented and Adopted by Fellow Clinicians Description of How Proposed CDSS Will Be Implemented and Adopted by Fellow Clinicians 0 points A description of how the proposed CDSS will be implemented and adopted by fellow clinicians is not provided. 8 points A description of how the proposed CDSS will be implemented and adopted by fellow clinicians is present but incomplete. 8.8 points A description of how the proposed CDSS will be implemented and adopted by fellow clinicians is present but rendered at a perfunctory level. 9.2 points A description of how the proposed CDSS will be implemented and adopted by fellow clinicians is present in full. Discussion is convincing and defines specific elements. Information presented is from scholarly though dated sources. 10 points A description of how the proposed CDSS will be implemented and adopted by fellow clinicians is present in full. Discussion is convincing and defines specific elements. Discussion is insightful and forward-thinking. Information presented is from current scholarly sources.
02

Turn the brief into deliverables

  1. 01
    A named clinical practice issue involving a specific medication.
  2. 02
    A CDSS design with trigger, data queried, threshold and alert content.
  3. 03
    An explicit link between the CDSS and CPOE.
  4. 04
    Defined clinician response options.
  5. 05
    A plan addressing alert fatigue, with primary sources under five years old.
03

The issue, the rule, the link, then alert fatigue

01

The clinical issue and the medication

Name the issue and the drug, and why an order-time intervention suits it.

02

The decision rule

Specify trigger, queried data, threshold and alert content.

03

The link to CPOE

Describe how the rule fires within the ordering workflow.

04

Clinician response options

Define what the clinician can do — accept, modify, override with reason.

05

Alert fatigue and evaluation

Address specificity, tiering, and measuring override rates after go-live.

04

Sources on decision support and its failures

Recommended databases

  • Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association
  • PubMed Central
  • Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT
  • Your site's EHR and pharmacy documentation

Search sequence

  1. 1.
    Filter every search to the last five years, since the assignment requires primary sources within that window.
  2. 2.
    Read an evaluation of an implemented CPOE-linked rule rather than a description of the technology.
  3. 3.
    Look up override rate data specifically, which is what makes the alert fatigue section evidential.
  4. 4.
    Check what data your own EHR actually holds for the rule you intend to write.
05

Reference shortlist

These are authoritative starting points, not a ready-made bibliography. A qualified reviewer must confirm that each source fits the assignment and supports the claim beside which it is cited.

Nothing here is cleared for citation until you have read it.

  1. 01

    Medication-related clinical decision support in computerized provider order entry systems

    Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association · 2007

    A review of medication-related decision support inside order entry, which is exactly the linkage being designed.

  2. 02

    Improving medication safety in a paediatric hospital: a mixed-methods evaluation

    BMJ Health & Care Informatics · 2023

    A recent implementation evaluation with measured effects, and the primary-source recency the assignment requires.

  3. 03

    Interoperability

    Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology · 2024

    The standards layer the rule's data has to travel through.

  4. 04

    The association between perceived electronic health record usability and professional burnout among US nurses

    Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 28(8), 1632-1641 · 2021

    Evidence on system burden on clinicians, which is the mechanism behind alert fatigue.

06

Review before submission

Common mistakes

  • Describing CPOE and CDSS separately without linking them, which is the actual requirement.
  • Designing an alert with no defined response options.
  • Choosing an issue with no data source for the rule to read.
  • Treating alert fatigue as a closing caveat rather than a design constraint.
  • Citing foundational informatics papers older than the five-year limit.

Submission checklist

  • Is the link between the two systems specified rather than asserted?
  • Does the rule name its trigger, data source and threshold?
  • Are the clinician's response options defined?
  • Have you decided interruptive or passive, with a reason?
  • Are all primary sources within five years?

Use this guide to plan and review your own work. Follow your institution's rules and read our academic-integrity policy.

Written by

Aaron Bishop

MA, Education

assignment interpretation and research-methods coaching across disciplines

Aaron leads the EssayCrackers editorial desk. He works on how assignment briefs are read — what a rubric is actually asking for, and where students most often answer a different question than the one set.

Reviewed by

Dr. Nathan Cole

PhD, Rhetoric & Composition

Argumentation and thesis development

Nathan teaches first-year composition and directs a university writing center. He reviews EssayCrackers guides for argumentative soundness and citation accuracy.

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