WGU D220 PRE-TEST QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Nursing Informatics Fundamentals
Electronic Health Records (EHR) & Electronic Medical Records (EMR)
HIPAA Privacy & Security Safeguards
Interoperability & Health Information Exchange Standards
Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS)
Healthcare Legislation (HITECH, ARRA, Meaningful Use)
Telehealth & Remote Patient Monitoring
Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) & EHR Implementation
Healthcare Coding & Data Standards (ICD-10, SNOMED, HL7)
Data Analytics & Patient Engagement Technologies
, This comprehensive
assessment evaluates essential knowledge and skills for baccalaureate-prepared nurses
entering healthcare technology practice. The exam is designed to measure competency in
information technology applications specific to nursing practice, including health information
systems management, data privacy protection, and clinical decision-making supported by
technology. Questions employ multiple-choice and scenario-based formats that emphasize real-
world application of informatics concepts in dynamic healthcare environments. The assessment
focuses on critical decision-making abilities related to electronic record systems,
interoperability standards, regulatory compliance, and patient safety technologies. Success on
this exam demonstrates readiness to integrate nursing science, information science, and
computer science to support optimal patient care outcomes.
Question 1
Which of the following best describes the primary distinction between an Electronic Health Record (EHR) and
an Electronic Medical Record (EMR)?
A. EMR is patient-managed while EHR is facility-managed
B. EHR contains longitudinal data across multiple encounters; EMR contains data from a single encounter
C. EHR is used only in hospitals; EMR is used only in outpatient settings
D. EMR includes imaging data while EHR does not
🟢 Correct answer: B
,🔴 RATIONALE: The EHR is a comprehensive, longitudinal database of patient health information generated
by one or more encounters across any care delivery setting, while the EMR contains data from a single visit or
encounter that feeds into the broader EHR. This distinction is fundamental to health information systems
understanding.
Question 2
A nurse is documenting patient care in the EHR and notices that the system automatically displays allergy alerts
when prescribing medications. This feature represents which type of health information system?
A. Admission, Transfer, and Discharge (ADT) system
B. Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS)
C. Personal Health Record (PHR)
D. Health Information Exchange (HIE)
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) are computer applications embedded into EHRs
that match patient characteristics with a knowledge base to generate specific care recommendations, alerts, and
reminders. Allergy alerts during medication prescribing are a classic CDSS function that reduces medical errors.
Question 3
Which HIPAA safeguard requirement mandates that healthcare organizations implement unique user
identifiers for each employee accessing electronic protected health information (ePHI)?
, A. Physical safeguard
B. Technical safeguard
C. Administrative safeguard
D. Environmental safeguard
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Unique user identifiers fall under HIPAA technical safeguards, which include authentication
mechanisms, encryption, and access controls that protect ePHI technically. Administrative safeguards involve
policies and procedures, while physical safeguards address physical access to facilities and devices.
Question 4
What is the primary purpose of the HITECH Act in healthcare?
A. To establish nursing licensure requirements across states
B. To ensure proper use of EHR systems and provide incentive payments for adoption
C. To regulate pharmaceutical pricing and distribution
D. To mandate telehealth coverage in all insurance plans
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: The HITECH (Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health) Act ensures
proper use of EHR systems and provides financial incentive payments through ARRA for healthcare providers
who adopt and demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology.
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Nursing Informatics Fundamentals
Electronic Health Records (EHR) & Electronic Medical Records (EMR)
HIPAA Privacy & Security Safeguards
Interoperability & Health Information Exchange Standards
Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS)
Healthcare Legislation (HITECH, ARRA, Meaningful Use)
Telehealth & Remote Patient Monitoring
Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) & EHR Implementation
Healthcare Coding & Data Standards (ICD-10, SNOMED, HL7)
Data Analytics & Patient Engagement Technologies
, This comprehensive
assessment evaluates essential knowledge and skills for baccalaureate-prepared nurses
entering healthcare technology practice. The exam is designed to measure competency in
information technology applications specific to nursing practice, including health information
systems management, data privacy protection, and clinical decision-making supported by
technology. Questions employ multiple-choice and scenario-based formats that emphasize real-
world application of informatics concepts in dynamic healthcare environments. The assessment
focuses on critical decision-making abilities related to electronic record systems,
interoperability standards, regulatory compliance, and patient safety technologies. Success on
this exam demonstrates readiness to integrate nursing science, information science, and
computer science to support optimal patient care outcomes.
Question 1
Which of the following best describes the primary distinction between an Electronic Health Record (EHR) and
an Electronic Medical Record (EMR)?
A. EMR is patient-managed while EHR is facility-managed
B. EHR contains longitudinal data across multiple encounters; EMR contains data from a single encounter
C. EHR is used only in hospitals; EMR is used only in outpatient settings
D. EMR includes imaging data while EHR does not
🟢 Correct answer: B
,🔴 RATIONALE: The EHR is a comprehensive, longitudinal database of patient health information generated
by one or more encounters across any care delivery setting, while the EMR contains data from a single visit or
encounter that feeds into the broader EHR. This distinction is fundamental to health information systems
understanding.
Question 2
A nurse is documenting patient care in the EHR and notices that the system automatically displays allergy alerts
when prescribing medications. This feature represents which type of health information system?
A. Admission, Transfer, and Discharge (ADT) system
B. Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS)
C. Personal Health Record (PHR)
D. Health Information Exchange (HIE)
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) are computer applications embedded into EHRs
that match patient characteristics with a knowledge base to generate specific care recommendations, alerts, and
reminders. Allergy alerts during medication prescribing are a classic CDSS function that reduces medical errors.
Question 3
Which HIPAA safeguard requirement mandates that healthcare organizations implement unique user
identifiers for each employee accessing electronic protected health information (ePHI)?
, A. Physical safeguard
B. Technical safeguard
C. Administrative safeguard
D. Environmental safeguard
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Unique user identifiers fall under HIPAA technical safeguards, which include authentication
mechanisms, encryption, and access controls that protect ePHI technically. Administrative safeguards involve
policies and procedures, while physical safeguards address physical access to facilities and devices.
Question 4
What is the primary purpose of the HITECH Act in healthcare?
A. To establish nursing licensure requirements across states
B. To ensure proper use of EHR systems and provide incentive payments for adoption
C. To regulate pharmaceutical pricing and distribution
D. To mandate telehealth coverage in all insurance plans
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: The HITECH (Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health) Act ensures
proper use of EHR systems and provides financial incentive payments through ARRA for healthcare providers
who adopt and demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology.
