C854 Nursing Informatics Field Experience

Correct answer:

B. Information.

Explanation:

Information is data that has been processed, structured, and given context to make it meaningful. In healthcare, raw data such as patient vital signs or test results become information when they are organized, analyzed, and used to inform clinical decisions. Information enables better understanding and application of data to improve patient care.

Why other options are wrong:

A. Data

Data consists of raw facts, numbers, or observations that lack context. Until it is processed and organized, data remains unstructured and does not provide meaningful insights.

C. Systems

Systems refer to frameworks or structures that manage and process data and information. While systems support information management, they are not synonymous with information itself.

D. Transactions

Transactions represent exchanges or interactions, such as financial transactions or data exchanges between healthcare systems. While they may involve data and information, they do not define the process of organizing data into meaningful information.

Correct answer:

A. It has demonstrated reduced errors.

Explanation:

Computerized order entry (COE) systems are primarily used to reduce medical errors by eliminating issues such as illegible handwriting, misinterpretation of orders, and manual entry mistakes. These systems also provide clinical decision support by alerting healthcare providers to potential drug interactions, allergies, and incorrect dosages. By improving accuracy, COE enhances patient safety and efficiency in healthcare settings.

Why other options are wrong:

B. It limits other providers' access to the computer records.

COE systems are not designed to restrict provider access. In fact, they enhance communication and coordination by ensuring that all authorized personnel have timely access to patient orders and records.

C. The patient has instant access to records at the bedside.

While electronic health records (EHRs) may allow patients to view their records, COE systems are specifically designed for healthcare providers to enter and manage orders, not for direct patient access.

D. It allows researchers to quickly gain access to patient information.

Although COE systems store valuable data that can be used for research, their primary function is to facilitate accurate and efficient order entry in clinical practice, not to provide immediate access to researchers.

Correct answer:

A. Patient care support systems

Explanation:

Patient care support systems are specifically designed to assist healthcare providers in managing patient care activities and making informed clinical decisions. These systems include electronic health records (EHRs), clinical decision support tools, and other applications that streamline patient management, ensure accurate documentation, and enhance communication among healthcare teams. Their primary goal is to improve patient safety, treatment outcomes, and overall efficiency in healthcare delivery.

Why other options are wrong:

B. Order entry systems

Order entry systems, such as computerized physician order entry (CPOE), are used to process medication, laboratory, and diagnostic test orders. While they contribute to patient care, they do not comprehensively support clinical decision-making and overall patient management like patient care support systems do.

C. Core business systems

Core business systems are focused on the administrative and financial aspects of healthcare organizations, such as billing, payroll, and resource allocation. They do not directly support clinical decision-making or patient care activities, making them unsuitable as the best answer.

D. Communication systems

Communication systems facilitate the exchange of information among healthcare professionals, improving coordination and response times. However, they do not provide clinical decision support or patient management functionalities, which are critical aspects of patient care support systems.

E. Case management information systems

Case management information systems are designed to support specific patient populations, particularly those with chronic conditions or complex care needs. While they help coordinate long-term care, they do not provide the comprehensive clinical decision-making support that patient care support systems offer.

Correct answer:

A. Data validation by information systems

Explanation:

Data validation by information systems ensures that patient data is accurate, complete, and reliable before being used in healthcare processes. Biometric authentication, such as fingerprint scanning, verifies patient identity, while system checks reject incomplete or incorrect documentation to prevent errors and ensure data integrity.

Why other options are wrong:

B. Patient engagement strategies.

Patient engagement strategies focus on involving patients in their own care through education, communication, and self-management tools. While biometric authentication can improve patient experience, it is primarily a validation process rather than an engagement strategy.

C. Clinical decision-making processes.

Clinical decision-making involves analyzing patient data to make informed medical decisions. While validated data supports decision-making, the process of identity confirmation and documentation verification is part of data validation rather than direct clinical decision-making.

D. Healthcare policy compliance.

Healthcare policy compliance ensures adherence to legal, ethical, and institutional guidelines. While data validation supports compliance, the specific process of biometric verification and documentation checks falls under data validation rather than general policy adherence.

Correct answer:

A. Software that manages day-to-day operations of a radiology department, or group of cooperating radiology departments.

Explanation:

A Radiology Information System (RIS) is a specialized software designed to manage the workflow and operations within radiology departments. It facilitates scheduling, tracking imaging procedures, reporting, billing, and integrating with other hospital systems to enhance efficiency in radiological services.

Why other options are wrong:

B. Create a workflow to manage a patient's medicines and treatments.

Managing a patient’s medications and treatments is the function of an electronic health record (EHR) or a medication management system, not an RIS. RIS focuses on imaging workflows rather than overall patient treatment plans.

C. Long-term archival storage of a patient's images.

While RIS can be integrated with Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) to store images, its primary function is not long-term image storage. PACS is specifically designed for archiving and retrieving medical images, whereas RIS manages the administrative and operational processes in radiology.

Correct answer:

B. Nonnumerical data such as subjective experiences.

Explanation:

Qualitative research is a method used to explore complex phenomena by analyzing nonnumerical data, such as personal experiences, perceptions, and social interactions. It often involves methods like interviews, focus groups, and thematic analysis.

Why other options are wrong:

A. Objective and measurable data.

Objective and measurable data are characteristics of quantitative research, which focuses on numerical analysis rather than subjective experiences.

C. Changes in quantity or amount.

Changes in quantity or amount are typically assessed through quantitative research methods, which use statistical and numerical data rather than qualitative approaches.

D. Cognitive development and intelligence.

Cognitive development and intelligence are studied in various fields, including psychology and education, but qualitative research is not exclusively focused on these topics.

Correct answer:

C. Data that has been processed to convey understanding.

Explanation:

Information is data that has been processed, structured, and contextualized to provide meaning and understanding. In nursing informatics, information is essential for decision-making, as it transforms raw data into a useful format for clinical applications.

Why other options are wrong:

A. Data that is organized to have meaning and value.

While organization is a key aspect of information, the correct definition emphasizes the processing of data to create understanding rather than just structuring it.

B. Stored, unorganized data.

Unorganized data is considered raw data, not information. Information results from data being processed and contextualized to support decision-making.

D. Data without meaning or value.

Information inherently has meaning and value, as it is used to support knowledge and decision-making in healthcare and other fields. Data without meaning remains unprocessed and does not qualify as information.

Correct answer:

C. Image data.

Explanation:

Image data is used in healthcare to represent visual information such as medical scans (X-rays, MRIs, CT scans), pathology slides, and diagnostic images. These images play a crucial role in patient diagnosis and treatment, helping healthcare providers interpret and analyze medical conditions visually.

Why other options are wrong:

A. Alphanumeric data

Alphanumeric data consists of letters and numbers used for patient records, medical notes, and identification codes, but it does not represent visual information.

B. Audio data

Audio data includes recorded dictations, patient consultations, and voice notes, but it is not used for visual representation.

D. Numeric data

Numeric data consists of numerical values such as laboratory test results, blood pressure readings, and medication dosages. While essential in healthcare, it does not represent visual information like medical images do.

Correct answer:

B. Open Source Software.

Explanation:

Open-source software allows healthcare organizations to modify, enhance, and customize applications to meet their specific needs. It promotes collaboration and data sharing by enabling different providers to integrate systems and exchange information freely. However, because the source code is publicly accessible, it may present security risks if not properly managed and maintained.

Why other options are wrong:

A. Proprietary Software.

Proprietary software is owned by a company or developer and does not allow users to modify the source code. While it may offer robust security and vendor support, it limits customization and collaboration compared to open-source software.

C. Commercial Software.

Commercial software refers to software that is sold for a fee, which can include both proprietary and open-source software. However, it does not specifically address the customization and collaboration benefits associated with open-source solutions.

D. Cloud-Based Software.

Cloud-based software enables remote access and scalability, but it is not necessarily open-source. While it can facilitate data sharing, it is typically managed by vendors, limiting the level of customization available to healthcare organizations.