WGU C784 Applied Healthcare Statistics Objective Assessment 1
2026-2027 Edition | 100% Correct Answers | A+ Graded
Western Governors University | 70 Questions with Comprehensive Rationales
Competency 1: Basic Numeracy and Calculation Skills (Q1-Q10)
Q1: A nursing student is reviewing number classifications for healthcare data. Which of the following is the BEST
definition of a rational number?
A. A number that is always positive and has no fractional component
B. A number that can be written as a ratio of two integers (a fraction) [CORRECT]
C. A number whose value is 0 or greater that can be represented without a decimal
D. Any number that can be placed on a number line, including negatives and decimals
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A rational number is defined as any number that can be expressed as a ratio of two integers (a fraction), such as 3/4, -2/5, or 7
(which equals 7/1). Option A describes whole numbers, not all rational numbers, since rational numbers can be negative and have fractional
or decimal components. Option C describes whole numbers specifically. Option D describes real numbers, which include both rational and
irrational numbers (like pi or the square root of 2), making it too broad.
Q2: A healthcare statistician is coding patient admission data. Which set contains ONLY integers?
A. -3, 0, 4.5, 12
B. 0, 5, -8, 100 [CORRECT]
C. 1/2, 3, -2, 7
D. 0.5, -1, 0, 9.0
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Integers are whole numbers including positive numbers, negative numbers, and zero, with no fractions or decimal components. The
set {0, 5, -8, 100} contains only integers. Option A includes 4.5, which is not an integer. Option C includes 1/2 (0.5), which is a fraction, not
an integer. Option D includes 0.5 and 9.0; while 9.0 is mathematically an integer, 0.5 is not. Understanding integer classification is essential
in WGU C784 for coding and categorizing discrete healthcare data correctly.
Q3: Which of the following numbers is classified as a whole number but NOT as an integer?
A. 0
B. -5
C. 3.7
D. There is no such number; all whole numbers are also integers [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: All whole numbers (0, 1, 2, 3, ...) are by definition also integers, since integers include all positive and negative whole numbers
plus zero. Therefore, no number exists that is a whole number but not an integer. Option A (0) is both a whole number and an integer. Option
B (-5) is an integer but not a whole number, since whole numbers must be 0 or greater. Option C (3.7) is neither a whole number nor an
integer. This distinction is fundamental in the WGU C784 numeracy competency for proper data classification.
Q4: A hospital quality improvement team records the following values: patient age (72), temperature (98.6), room
number (204), and pain score (7). Which of these is a real number but NOT a rational number?
A. Patient age of 72
B. Temperature of 98.6
C. Room number 204
D. None of the above; all are rational numbers [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: All the values listed are rational numbers because each can be expressed as a ratio of integers. Patient age 72 equals 72/1,
temperature 98.6 equals 986/10, and room number 204 equals 204/1. A real number that is not rational would be an irrational number such
, as pi (3.14159...) or the square root of a non-perfect square, whose decimal representation never terminates or repeats. In WGU C784,
recognizing that most healthcare measurements are rational numbers is important for proper statistical analysis selection.
Q5: A nurse calculates the sum, difference, product, and quotient of 15 and 3. Which operation yields a result of 5?
A. Sum
B. Difference
C. Product
D. Quotient [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The quotient is the result of division: 15 divided by 3 equals 5. The sum (A) is the result of addition: 15 + 3 = 18. The difference
(B) is the result of subtraction: 15 - 3 = 12. The product (C) is the result of multiplication: 15 x 3 = 45. Understanding these four
fundamental operations and their terminology is essential for the WGU C784 Basic Numeracy competency, particularly when performing
medication dosage calculations and analyzing healthcare data.
Q6: A pharmacy technician needs to solve: 2 + 4 x 4 - . Using the correct order of operations (PEMDAS), what is the
result?
A. 21
B. 15 [CORRECT]
C. 9
D. 27
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Following PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division left to right, Addition/Subtraction left to right): first perform
multiplication and division from left to right: 4 x 4 = 16, and = 3. The expression becomes 2 + 16 - 3. Then perform addition and
subtraction from left to right: 2 + 16 = 18, and 18 - 3 = 15. Option A (21) results from adding all numbers: 2 + 4 + 4 + 9 + 3 = 22, or
performing operations in the wrong sequence. Option C (9) might result from computing (2+4) x (4-9)/3. Option D (27) reflects multiplying
all numbers. Mastering PEMDAS is essential in WGU C784 for accurately evaluating clinical formulas and statistical expressions.
Q7: A nurse is calculating a dosage using the expression: 2 + 3 x (4 + 2) - . Applying PEMDAS correctly, what is the
result?
A. 20
B. 18 [CORRECT]
C. 10
D. 14
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Following PEMDAS: First, solve parentheses: (4 + 2) = 6. The expression becomes 2 + 3 x 6 - . Next, perform multiplication
and division from left to right: 3 x 6 = 18, and = 2. The expression is now 2 + 18 - 2. Finally, perform addition and subtraction from
left to right: 2 + 18 = 20, and 20 - 2 = 18. Option A (20) results from forgetting to subtract 2 at the end. Option C (10) results from adding
before multiplying: (2+3) x = 7.5, then subtracting. Option D (14) reflects performing all operations sequentially left to right without
regard for PEMDAS precedence.
Q8: A healthcare data analyst needs to find the square root of 49. Which statement about square roots is CORRECT
according to WGU C784 principles?
A. The square root of 49 is only 7
B. Every positive whole number has exactly one square root
C. The square root of 49 is both 7 and -7 [CORRECT]
D. Square roots can only be positive numbers
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: According to WGU C784, every positive whole number has two square roots: a positive root and a negative root. The square root
of 49 is both 7 and -7, because 7 x 7 = 49 and (-7) x (-7) = 49. Option A is incorrect because it omits the negative root. Option B is incorrect
because every positive whole number has two square roots, not one. Option D is incorrect because square roots include negative values as well.
This concept is important in healthcare statistics when working with variance and standard deviation calculations where both positive and
negative deviations from the mean are considered.
, Q9: A nurse is reviewing patient lab results and needs to evaluate: 10 - 2 x 3 + (6 - 1). What is the correct result
following PEMDAS?
A. 25
B. 19
C. 9 [CORRECT]
D. 15
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Following PEMDAS: First, parentheses: (6 - 1) = 5. The expression becomes 10 - 2 x 3 + 5. Next, multiplication: 2 x 3 = 6. The
expression is now 10 - 6 + 5. Finally, addition and subtraction from left to right: 10 - 6 = 4, then 4 + 5 = 9. Option A (25) results from
adding all numbers: 10 + 2 + 3 + 6 + 1. Option B (19) results from computing (10-2) x 3 + 5 = 24 + 5 = 29, which is also incorrect. Option
D (15) results from 10 - (2x3+5) = 10 - 11 = -1, which is also wrong. This type of calculation appears frequently in WGU C784 when
evaluating clinical formulas and statistical expressions.
Q10: A hospital administrator calculates the average daily census by computing the sum of 12 daily patient counts
divided by 12. If the daily counts are 45, 52, 48, 50, 47, 53, 49, 51, 46, 54, 50, and 55, what is the sum of these values?
A. 580
B. 600 [CORRECT]
C. 590
D. 610
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The sum is calculated by adding all 12 daily patient counts: 45 + 52 = 97, 97 + 48 = 145, 145 + 50 = 195, 195 + 47 = 242, 242
+ 53 = 295, 295 + 49 = 344, 344 + 51 = 395, 395 + 46 = 441, 441 + 54 = 495, 495 + 50 = 545, 545 + 55 = 600. The sum (total) of all
values is 600. Option A (580) is a common addition error. Option C (590) may result from omitting one value. Option D (610) likely results
from a transposition or double-counting error. The sum operation is a foundational WGU C784 numeracy skill used extensively in
calculating means and totals in healthcare datasets.
Competency 2: Fractions, Decimals, and Percentages (Q11-Q20)
Q11: A nursing student needs to identify equivalent fractions. Which fraction is equivalent to 3/4?
A. 6/8 [CORRECT]
B. 3/8
C. 4/6
D. 5/8
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Equivalent fractions represent the same value despite having different numerators and denominators. To find an equivalent
fraction, multiply or divide both the numerator and denominator by the same number. Multiplying both 3 and 4 by 2 gives 6/8, which equals
3/4 when simplified. Option B (3/8) has the same numerator but half the denominator, giving a different value. Option C (4/6) simplifies to
2/3, which is approximately 0.667, not 0.75. Option D (5/8) equals 0.625. Understanding equivalent fractions is critical in WGU C784 for
medication dosage calculations and ratio comparisons in healthcare settings.
Q12: Which of the following numbers is classified as a composite number?
A. 7
B. 11
C. 15 [CORRECT]
D. 13
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A composite number is a number with more factors than just one and itself. The number 15 is composite because its factors are 1,
3, 5, and 15. It can be divided evenly by 3 and 5 in addition to 1 and itself. Options A (7), B (11), and D (13) are all prime numbers,
meaning their only factors are 1 and themselves. Distinguishing between prime and composite numbers is important in the WGU C784
Fractions competency for simplifying fractions, since finding the greatest common factor (GCF) requires understanding factorization of
composite numbers.
2026-2027 Edition | 100% Correct Answers | A+ Graded
Western Governors University | 70 Questions with Comprehensive Rationales
Competency 1: Basic Numeracy and Calculation Skills (Q1-Q10)
Q1: A nursing student is reviewing number classifications for healthcare data. Which of the following is the BEST
definition of a rational number?
A. A number that is always positive and has no fractional component
B. A number that can be written as a ratio of two integers (a fraction) [CORRECT]
C. A number whose value is 0 or greater that can be represented without a decimal
D. Any number that can be placed on a number line, including negatives and decimals
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A rational number is defined as any number that can be expressed as a ratio of two integers (a fraction), such as 3/4, -2/5, or 7
(which equals 7/1). Option A describes whole numbers, not all rational numbers, since rational numbers can be negative and have fractional
or decimal components. Option C describes whole numbers specifically. Option D describes real numbers, which include both rational and
irrational numbers (like pi or the square root of 2), making it too broad.
Q2: A healthcare statistician is coding patient admission data. Which set contains ONLY integers?
A. -3, 0, 4.5, 12
B. 0, 5, -8, 100 [CORRECT]
C. 1/2, 3, -2, 7
D. 0.5, -1, 0, 9.0
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Integers are whole numbers including positive numbers, negative numbers, and zero, with no fractions or decimal components. The
set {0, 5, -8, 100} contains only integers. Option A includes 4.5, which is not an integer. Option C includes 1/2 (0.5), which is a fraction, not
an integer. Option D includes 0.5 and 9.0; while 9.0 is mathematically an integer, 0.5 is not. Understanding integer classification is essential
in WGU C784 for coding and categorizing discrete healthcare data correctly.
Q3: Which of the following numbers is classified as a whole number but NOT as an integer?
A. 0
B. -5
C. 3.7
D. There is no such number; all whole numbers are also integers [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: All whole numbers (0, 1, 2, 3, ...) are by definition also integers, since integers include all positive and negative whole numbers
plus zero. Therefore, no number exists that is a whole number but not an integer. Option A (0) is both a whole number and an integer. Option
B (-5) is an integer but not a whole number, since whole numbers must be 0 or greater. Option C (3.7) is neither a whole number nor an
integer. This distinction is fundamental in the WGU C784 numeracy competency for proper data classification.
Q4: A hospital quality improvement team records the following values: patient age (72), temperature (98.6), room
number (204), and pain score (7). Which of these is a real number but NOT a rational number?
A. Patient age of 72
B. Temperature of 98.6
C. Room number 204
D. None of the above; all are rational numbers [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: All the values listed are rational numbers because each can be expressed as a ratio of integers. Patient age 72 equals 72/1,
temperature 98.6 equals 986/10, and room number 204 equals 204/1. A real number that is not rational would be an irrational number such
, as pi (3.14159...) or the square root of a non-perfect square, whose decimal representation never terminates or repeats. In WGU C784,
recognizing that most healthcare measurements are rational numbers is important for proper statistical analysis selection.
Q5: A nurse calculates the sum, difference, product, and quotient of 15 and 3. Which operation yields a result of 5?
A. Sum
B. Difference
C. Product
D. Quotient [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The quotient is the result of division: 15 divided by 3 equals 5. The sum (A) is the result of addition: 15 + 3 = 18. The difference
(B) is the result of subtraction: 15 - 3 = 12. The product (C) is the result of multiplication: 15 x 3 = 45. Understanding these four
fundamental operations and their terminology is essential for the WGU C784 Basic Numeracy competency, particularly when performing
medication dosage calculations and analyzing healthcare data.
Q6: A pharmacy technician needs to solve: 2 + 4 x 4 - . Using the correct order of operations (PEMDAS), what is the
result?
A. 21
B. 15 [CORRECT]
C. 9
D. 27
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Following PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division left to right, Addition/Subtraction left to right): first perform
multiplication and division from left to right: 4 x 4 = 16, and = 3. The expression becomes 2 + 16 - 3. Then perform addition and
subtraction from left to right: 2 + 16 = 18, and 18 - 3 = 15. Option A (21) results from adding all numbers: 2 + 4 + 4 + 9 + 3 = 22, or
performing operations in the wrong sequence. Option C (9) might result from computing (2+4) x (4-9)/3. Option D (27) reflects multiplying
all numbers. Mastering PEMDAS is essential in WGU C784 for accurately evaluating clinical formulas and statistical expressions.
Q7: A nurse is calculating a dosage using the expression: 2 + 3 x (4 + 2) - . Applying PEMDAS correctly, what is the
result?
A. 20
B. 18 [CORRECT]
C. 10
D. 14
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Following PEMDAS: First, solve parentheses: (4 + 2) = 6. The expression becomes 2 + 3 x 6 - . Next, perform multiplication
and division from left to right: 3 x 6 = 18, and = 2. The expression is now 2 + 18 - 2. Finally, perform addition and subtraction from
left to right: 2 + 18 = 20, and 20 - 2 = 18. Option A (20) results from forgetting to subtract 2 at the end. Option C (10) results from adding
before multiplying: (2+3) x = 7.5, then subtracting. Option D (14) reflects performing all operations sequentially left to right without
regard for PEMDAS precedence.
Q8: A healthcare data analyst needs to find the square root of 49. Which statement about square roots is CORRECT
according to WGU C784 principles?
A. The square root of 49 is only 7
B. Every positive whole number has exactly one square root
C. The square root of 49 is both 7 and -7 [CORRECT]
D. Square roots can only be positive numbers
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: According to WGU C784, every positive whole number has two square roots: a positive root and a negative root. The square root
of 49 is both 7 and -7, because 7 x 7 = 49 and (-7) x (-7) = 49. Option A is incorrect because it omits the negative root. Option B is incorrect
because every positive whole number has two square roots, not one. Option D is incorrect because square roots include negative values as well.
This concept is important in healthcare statistics when working with variance and standard deviation calculations where both positive and
negative deviations from the mean are considered.
, Q9: A nurse is reviewing patient lab results and needs to evaluate: 10 - 2 x 3 + (6 - 1). What is the correct result
following PEMDAS?
A. 25
B. 19
C. 9 [CORRECT]
D. 15
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Following PEMDAS: First, parentheses: (6 - 1) = 5. The expression becomes 10 - 2 x 3 + 5. Next, multiplication: 2 x 3 = 6. The
expression is now 10 - 6 + 5. Finally, addition and subtraction from left to right: 10 - 6 = 4, then 4 + 5 = 9. Option A (25) results from
adding all numbers: 10 + 2 + 3 + 6 + 1. Option B (19) results from computing (10-2) x 3 + 5 = 24 + 5 = 29, which is also incorrect. Option
D (15) results from 10 - (2x3+5) = 10 - 11 = -1, which is also wrong. This type of calculation appears frequently in WGU C784 when
evaluating clinical formulas and statistical expressions.
Q10: A hospital administrator calculates the average daily census by computing the sum of 12 daily patient counts
divided by 12. If the daily counts are 45, 52, 48, 50, 47, 53, 49, 51, 46, 54, 50, and 55, what is the sum of these values?
A. 580
B. 600 [CORRECT]
C. 590
D. 610
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The sum is calculated by adding all 12 daily patient counts: 45 + 52 = 97, 97 + 48 = 145, 145 + 50 = 195, 195 + 47 = 242, 242
+ 53 = 295, 295 + 49 = 344, 344 + 51 = 395, 395 + 46 = 441, 441 + 54 = 495, 495 + 50 = 545, 545 + 55 = 600. The sum (total) of all
values is 600. Option A (580) is a common addition error. Option C (590) may result from omitting one value. Option D (610) likely results
from a transposition or double-counting error. The sum operation is a foundational WGU C784 numeracy skill used extensively in
calculating means and totals in healthcare datasets.
Competency 2: Fractions, Decimals, and Percentages (Q11-Q20)
Q11: A nursing student needs to identify equivalent fractions. Which fraction is equivalent to 3/4?
A. 6/8 [CORRECT]
B. 3/8
C. 4/6
D. 5/8
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Equivalent fractions represent the same value despite having different numerators and denominators. To find an equivalent
fraction, multiply or divide both the numerator and denominator by the same number. Multiplying both 3 and 4 by 2 gives 6/8, which equals
3/4 when simplified. Option B (3/8) has the same numerator but half the denominator, giving a different value. Option C (4/6) simplifies to
2/3, which is approximately 0.667, not 0.75. Option D (5/8) equals 0.625. Understanding equivalent fractions is critical in WGU C784 for
medication dosage calculations and ratio comparisons in healthcare settings.
Q12: Which of the following numbers is classified as a composite number?
A. 7
B. 11
C. 15 [CORRECT]
D. 13
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A composite number is a number with more factors than just one and itself. The number 15 is composite because its factors are 1,
3, 5, and 15. It can be divided evenly by 3 and 5 in addition to 1 and itself. Options A (7), B (11), and D (13) are all prime numbers,
meaning their only factors are 1 and themselves. Distinguishing between prime and composite numbers is important in the WGU C784
Fractions competency for simplifying fractions, since finding the greatest common factor (GCF) requires understanding factorization of
composite numbers.
