The PSA
Section 1 of 8
Prescribing
Write one safe, effective, complete prescription (5 marks drug choice + 5 marks dose/route/frequency).
80 marks · 40% of the exam8 items × 10
What it tests
By far the highest-weighted section (80 of 200 marks) — prioritise it in prep. Free-text: write a safe, unambiguous, complete prescription on the provided form, for acute conditions (asthma, heart failure), chronic disease (depression, reflux) or symptoms (pain).
How to tackle it
- 1Read the scenario for the indication, the patient’s weight, allergies and renal/hepatic function
- 2Choose the right drug and formulation for the indication and route
- 3Write it completely and legibly: approved drug name, dose, route, frequency, and duration where relevant
- 4Sign and date; use the BNF to confirm the dose (it’s open-book)
Worked example
A 30-year-old with an acute exacerbation of asthma needs a bronchodilator.
Answer
Salbutamol 5 mg, nebulised (oxygen-driven), PRN / back-to-back.
Half the marks are for the correct drug; half for a complete, unambiguous dose/route/frequency.
Pitfalls & high-yield
- Never abbreviate “units” (insulin) — write it in full; write micrograms in full too.
- Check the dose against renal function (e.g. reduce/avoid in AKI) and allergy before writing.
- Illegible or incomplete (missing route/frequency) loses the easy dose/route/frequency marks.
Prep
How it’s marked
10 marks per item, 8 items = 80 of 200 marks. Standard-set per sitting (pass mark ≈ 60–63%, varies).