Study Questions
Competency 1: Information Management
What is the role of nurses as knowledge workers?
Nurses function as knowledge workers by systematically applying clinical education, experiential learning, and evidence-based information to patient care. They continuously collect, assess, and interpret patient data to support timely and accurate clinical decisions. For instance, identifying abnormal physiological indicators—such as a respiratory rate significantly above normal parameters—allows nurses to initiate rapid communication with physicians or respiratory therapists, thereby preventing deterioration and adverse outcomes. In addition to real-time decision-making, nurses engage in lifelong learning to remain current with best practices and emerging clinical evidence, ensuring high-quality, safe, and effective care delivery (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2018).
How are the concepts of Data, Information, Knowledge, and Wisdom (DIKW) defined in nursing, and what are examples of each?
The DIKW framework is a foundational model in nursing informatics that explains how raw data evolve into informed clinical judgment. It supports nurses in transforming discrete observations into meaningful, patient-centered actions.
| Concept | Definition | Nursing Example |
|---|---|---|
| Data | Discrete, objective facts without interpretation | A patient’s blood pressure reading |
| Information | Organized data that provide context and meaning | A trend graph showing rising blood pressure |
| Knowledge | Synthesized information used to guide clinical decisions | Evidence-based hypertension management guidelines |
| Wisdom | Judicious application of knowledge with ethical reasoning | Initiating early interventions to prevent stroke |
This model enables nurses to progress from observation to clinical insight, strengthening patient outcomes and care quality.
What informatics competencies are expected at various nursing levels?
Informatics competencies develop progressively as nurses advance in clinical expertise and leadership responsibility.
| Nursing Level | Informatics Competencies |
|---|---|
| Beginning Nurse | Basic computer skills, structured documentation, data accuracy, and privacy awareness |
| Experienced Nurse | Advanced data interpretation, clinical system optimization, and interdisciplinary collaboration |
| Informatics Specialist | System design participation, data governance, and staff education |
| Informatics Innovator | Research leadership, theory development, advanced analytics, and grant management |
This competency continuum ensures that nurses effectively integrate technology into clinical practice and organizational improvement.
How do information literacy and computer literacy relate to evidence-based practice?
Computer literacy refers to the ability to use hardware, software, and digital applications efficiently, while information literacy involves the critical evaluation and application of credible scientific and clinical evidence. Together, these competencies enable nurses to retrieve, analyze, and apply current research findings. This integration is essential for evidence-based practice, allowing clinicians to base care decisions on the best available evidence rather than tradition or anecdote, ultimately improving patient safety and clinical outcomes (Lau & Woods, 2017).
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using Electronic Health Record Systems (EHRS) in patient-centered care?
Electronic Health Record Systems offer substantial benefits but also present operational challenges.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Immediate access to patient data | Privacy and cybersecurity risks |
| Enhanced interdisciplinary communication | Risk of documentation errors |
| Decision-support tools that reduce errors | High implementation and maintenance costs |
| Improved efficiency and billing accuracy | Ongoing training requirements |
Optimizing EHRS requires balancing technological benefits with workforce readiness and data security (HIMSS, 2020).
How do clinical information systems (CIS) differ from administrative information systems (AIS)?
Clinical Information Systems are designed to support direct patient care activities, such as clinical documentation, diagnostic review, and decision support across care settings. Administrative Information Systems, by contrast, focus on organizational operations, including financial management, scheduling, payroll, and regulatory reporting. Together, these systems ensure both high-quality clinical care and efficient healthcare administration.
Competency 1 Continued: Legislative Acts and IT Development
What is the significance of key legislative acts in advancing health information technology?
| Legislative Act | Impact on Health IT |
|---|---|
| ARRA | Accelerated national EHR adoption |
| HITECH | Incentivized meaningful EHR use |
| TIGER Initiative | Established informatics competencies for nurses |
Collectively, these initiatives strengthened interoperability, data quality, and workforce preparedness (McBride & Tietze, 2017).
Competency 2: Leadership in IT
How is an informatics culture created within healthcare organizations?
An informatics culture is cultivated through leadership commitment, readiness assessments, policy development, and sustained education. Organizational leaders must align technology initiatives with patient-centered goals while engaging clinicians in decision-making. Continuous training in health, information, and computer literacy supports adoption and promotes quality improvement (Saba & McCormick, 2015).
What roles do nurses play in selecting and implementing patient information systems?
Nurses contribute both strategically and operationally to information system implementation. In leadership roles, they guide system selection and policy development. At the point of care, nurses provide critical feedback on usability, workflow integration, and data relevance, ensuring systems support safe and efficient practice.
How do strategic plans, missions, and visions differ in healthcare organizations?
| Term | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Strategic Plan | Defines actionable steps toward goals |
| Mission | States organizational purpose |
| Vision | Describes desired future state |
Together, these elements provide direction and organizational alignment.
What are the phases and activities of the Project Management Life Cycle (PMLC)?
| Phase | Key Activities |
|---|---|
| Planning | Scope definition and team formation |
| Implementation | System deployment |
| Monitoring | Performance tracking |
| Evaluation | Outcome analysis |
| Lessons Learned | Knowledge sharing |
Competency 3: Health Information Systems
What are typical applications for clinical and administrative information systems?
| System Type | Applications |
|---|---|
| CIS | Clinical documentation, CPOE, decision support |
| AIS | Billing, payroll, HR, quality reporting |
What distinguishes PHRs, EHRs, and EMRs?
PHRs are patient-managed records, EMRs are facility-specific clinical records, and EHRs are comprehensive, interoperable records shared across organizations.
Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) in Healthcare
What is usability, and how does it relate to HCI?
Usability is a core HCI principle that evaluates how effectively users can complete tasks with minimal error and cognitive burden. High usability improves efficiency, satisfaction, and patient safety.
What is the relationship between usability and clinical outcomes?
| Outcome | Impact |
|---|---|
| Error reduction | Improved patient safety |
| Efficiency | Faster task completion |
| Satisfaction | Reduced clinician burnout |
(Zheng et al., 2021)
Information Security in Healthcare
How do HIPAA and HITECH work together?
HITECH promotes EHR adoption and electronic reporting, while HIPAA ensures patient privacy and data security. Together, they create a regulatory framework that supports innovation while protecting patient rights (Blumenthal & Tavenner, 2010).
Emerging Healthcare IT Trends
Precision Medicine
Precision medicine personalizes treatment by integrating genetic, clinical, and lifestyle data, improving effectiveness and reducing adverse outcomes.
Artificial Intelligence and Automation
AI enhances diagnostics, predicts risks, and automates workflows, leading to improved efficiency and decision accuracy.
Virtual Care
Virtual care expands access, reduces costs, and supports continuity of care through remote consultations and monitoring.
References
American Nurses Association. (2015). Nursing informatics: Scope and standards of practice (2nd ed.). Nursesbooks.org.
Blumenthal, D., & Tavenner, M. (2010). The “meaningful use” regulation for electronic health records. New England Journal of Medicine, 363(6), 501–504.
HIMSS. (2020). Electronic health records and patient-centered care.
McBride, S., & Tietze, M. (2017). Nursing informatics for the advanced practice nurse. Springer.
D220 Nursing Informatics Study Guide and Questions
McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. (2018). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (4th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Saba, V. K., & McCormick, K. A. (2015). Essentials of nursing informatics (6th ed.). McGraw-Hill.
Zheng, K., et al. (2021). Usability and patient safety in health IT. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 28(2), 389–396.