WGU D220 EXAM 300+ QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS 2022-2024 / WGU INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY IN NURSING D220 F
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING INFORMATICS & THEORETICAL FRAMEWORKS
(Questions 1–15)
Q1. According to the American Nurses Association (ANA), nursing informatics is best defined
as which of the following?
A. The use of computers and software to document nursing care in electronic health records
B. The specialty that integrates nursing science with multiple information and analytical sciences
to identify, define, manage, and communicate data, information, knowledge, and wisdom in
nursing practice
C. The application of technology to manage patient billing and administrative healthcare tasks
D. The study of how nurses use social media platforms to communicate with patients and
colleagues
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The ANA's formal definition of nursing informatics emphasizes the integration of
nursing science with information and analytical sciences to manage the DIKW continuum (data,
information, knowledge, wisdom) in nursing practice. Option A is too narrow—documentation is
only one application. Option C describes administrative health IT, not the full scope of nursing
informatics. Option D misrepresents the specialty, which encompasses clinical practice,
education, research, and administration, not social media communication.
Q2. A nurse places "blood pressure reading of 180/110 mmHg" at the first level of a concept
map, "stage 2 hypertension" at the second level, "increased risk for stroke and myocardial
infarction" at the third level, and "initiating the hypertensive emergency protocol considering
patient-specific factors" at the highest level. Which theoretical framework does this structure
best represent?
A. Systems theory
B. Data-Information-Knowledge-Wisdom (DIKW) framework
C. Diffusion of innovations theory
D. Benner's Novice to Expert model
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The DIKW framework organizes understanding into four hierarchical tiers: raw
data (blood pressure reading), processed information (classification as stage 2 hypertension),
synthesized knowledge (understanding associated risks), and wisdom (ethical, contextual
application of knowledge to action). Systems theory focuses on interrelated components
working as a whole. Diffusion of innovations explains how new ideas spread. Benner's model
describes skill acquisition stages, not the cognitive processing hierarchy.
Q3. A nurse reviews a patient's medication administration record (MAR) and notes that the
patient received a PRN pain medication two hours ago. The nurse then assesses the patient's
current pain level before determining whether another dose is warranted. Which component
of the DIKW framework does this clinical judgment represent?
A. Data
B. Information
C. Knowledge
D. Wisdom
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Wisdom in the DIKW framework represents the ethical, judicious application of
knowledge in complex clinical situations. The nurse synthesizes multiple data points (medication
timing, current pain assessment) with clinical knowledge (pharmacokinetics, patient rights) to
make a contextualized decision. Data alone would be the raw pain score. Information would be
organizing that data. Knowledge would be understanding the relationship between medication
timing and pain management. Wisdom incorporates the patient-specific context and ethical
considerations.
Q4. Which historical event marked the formal recognition of nursing informatics as a distinct
nursing specialty?
A. The passage of the HITECH Act in 2009
B. The ANA designation in 1992
C. The launch of the Precision Medicine Initiative in 2015
D. The implementation of the first hospital computer systems in the 1960s
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: The American Nurses Association formally recognized nursing informatics as a
distinct nursing specialty with a defined scope of practice in 1992. While early hospital
computer systems emerged in the 1960s, the specialty recognition came decades later. The
HITECH Act accelerated EHR adoption but did not create the specialty. The Precision Medicine
Initiative represents a later genomic-data focus that builds upon informatics foundations.
Q5. A nurse is explaining the concept of "information" within the DIKW framework. Which
statement accurately describes this level?
A. Raw, unprocessed facts and symbols without context
B. Data that has been processed, organized, and given meaning or context
C. The synthesis of information with clinical experience to guide decision-making
D. The ethical application of knowledge considering patient values and preferences
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In the DIKW hierarchy, information represents data that has been processed,
organized, and contextualized to have meaning. Raw unprocessed facts are data. Synthesis with
experience describes knowledge. Ethical application describes wisdom. For example, a single
blood glucose value is data; a trend of glucose values over 24 hours is information.
Q6. Which of the following best describes the relationship between nursing science and
information science within the discipline of nursing informatics?
A. Information science completely replaces nursing science in technology-driven care settings
B. Nursing science provides the clinical foundation while information science provides the tools
for managing and communicating nursing data
C. Nursing science and information science operate independently with no overlap
D. Information science is only relevant to administrative functions, not clinical nursing practice
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nursing informatics integrates nursing science (the clinical knowledge base) with
information science (the tools and methods for managing data). Nursing science provides the
"what" and "why" of practice, while information science provides the "how" of data
management and communication. This integration enhances all aspects of nursing practice, not
just administrative functions. Neither science replaces the other; they are complementary.
, Q7. A nurse manager is evaluating a new clinical decision support tool. The tool alerts the
nurse whenever a patient's heart rate exceeds 100 beats per minute, regardless of the
patient's baseline, diagnosis, or clinical context. Which DIKW level is missing from this tool's
design?
A. Data level
B. Information level
C. Knowledge level
D. Wisdom level
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The tool processes data (heart rate values) into information (alert when >100)
but lacks the knowledge level—the synthesis of information with clinical context, patient-
specific factors, and evidence-based guidelines. A knowledgeable system would consider the
patient's baseline, diagnosis, and clinical picture before alerting. Wisdom would involve ethical
considerations and patient preferences. The tool operates at the information level only.
Q8. Which statement accurately describes the TIGER initiative's primary purpose?
A. To develop new medical devices for continuous patient monitoring
B. To improve informatics competencies and technology skills among nurses
C. To create pharmaceutical databases for medication management
D. To manage hospital cafeteria and facilities systems
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: TIGER (Technology Informatics Guiding Education Reform) began in 2006 with
the goal of preparing nurses to use informatics and technology to improve patient care through
education, competency development, and leadership. It is not focused on developing devices,
creating drug databases, or managing non-clinical systems. TIGER aims to enhance the nurse's
ability to use electronic health records and advance healthcare information systems
infrastructure.
Q9. A nurse who can effectively use EHRs for documentation, access patient information, and
use basic decision support features demonstrates which level of informatics competency
according to Benner's model adapted for informatics?
ANSWERS 2022-2024 / WGU INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY IN NURSING D220 F
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING INFORMATICS & THEORETICAL FRAMEWORKS
(Questions 1–15)
Q1. According to the American Nurses Association (ANA), nursing informatics is best defined
as which of the following?
A. The use of computers and software to document nursing care in electronic health records
B. The specialty that integrates nursing science with multiple information and analytical sciences
to identify, define, manage, and communicate data, information, knowledge, and wisdom in
nursing practice
C. The application of technology to manage patient billing and administrative healthcare tasks
D. The study of how nurses use social media platforms to communicate with patients and
colleagues
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The ANA's formal definition of nursing informatics emphasizes the integration of
nursing science with information and analytical sciences to manage the DIKW continuum (data,
information, knowledge, wisdom) in nursing practice. Option A is too narrow—documentation is
only one application. Option C describes administrative health IT, not the full scope of nursing
informatics. Option D misrepresents the specialty, which encompasses clinical practice,
education, research, and administration, not social media communication.
Q2. A nurse places "blood pressure reading of 180/110 mmHg" at the first level of a concept
map, "stage 2 hypertension" at the second level, "increased risk for stroke and myocardial
infarction" at the third level, and "initiating the hypertensive emergency protocol considering
patient-specific factors" at the highest level. Which theoretical framework does this structure
best represent?
A. Systems theory
B. Data-Information-Knowledge-Wisdom (DIKW) framework
C. Diffusion of innovations theory
D. Benner's Novice to Expert model
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The DIKW framework organizes understanding into four hierarchical tiers: raw
data (blood pressure reading), processed information (classification as stage 2 hypertension),
synthesized knowledge (understanding associated risks), and wisdom (ethical, contextual
application of knowledge to action). Systems theory focuses on interrelated components
working as a whole. Diffusion of innovations explains how new ideas spread. Benner's model
describes skill acquisition stages, not the cognitive processing hierarchy.
Q3. A nurse reviews a patient's medication administration record (MAR) and notes that the
patient received a PRN pain medication two hours ago. The nurse then assesses the patient's
current pain level before determining whether another dose is warranted. Which component
of the DIKW framework does this clinical judgment represent?
A. Data
B. Information
C. Knowledge
D. Wisdom
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Wisdom in the DIKW framework represents the ethical, judicious application of
knowledge in complex clinical situations. The nurse synthesizes multiple data points (medication
timing, current pain assessment) with clinical knowledge (pharmacokinetics, patient rights) to
make a contextualized decision. Data alone would be the raw pain score. Information would be
organizing that data. Knowledge would be understanding the relationship between medication
timing and pain management. Wisdom incorporates the patient-specific context and ethical
considerations.
Q4. Which historical event marked the formal recognition of nursing informatics as a distinct
nursing specialty?
A. The passage of the HITECH Act in 2009
B. The ANA designation in 1992
C. The launch of the Precision Medicine Initiative in 2015
D. The implementation of the first hospital computer systems in the 1960s
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: The American Nurses Association formally recognized nursing informatics as a
distinct nursing specialty with a defined scope of practice in 1992. While early hospital
computer systems emerged in the 1960s, the specialty recognition came decades later. The
HITECH Act accelerated EHR adoption but did not create the specialty. The Precision Medicine
Initiative represents a later genomic-data focus that builds upon informatics foundations.
Q5. A nurse is explaining the concept of "information" within the DIKW framework. Which
statement accurately describes this level?
A. Raw, unprocessed facts and symbols without context
B. Data that has been processed, organized, and given meaning or context
C. The synthesis of information with clinical experience to guide decision-making
D. The ethical application of knowledge considering patient values and preferences
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In the DIKW hierarchy, information represents data that has been processed,
organized, and contextualized to have meaning. Raw unprocessed facts are data. Synthesis with
experience describes knowledge. Ethical application describes wisdom. For example, a single
blood glucose value is data; a trend of glucose values over 24 hours is information.
Q6. Which of the following best describes the relationship between nursing science and
information science within the discipline of nursing informatics?
A. Information science completely replaces nursing science in technology-driven care settings
B. Nursing science provides the clinical foundation while information science provides the tools
for managing and communicating nursing data
C. Nursing science and information science operate independently with no overlap
D. Information science is only relevant to administrative functions, not clinical nursing practice
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nursing informatics integrates nursing science (the clinical knowledge base) with
information science (the tools and methods for managing data). Nursing science provides the
"what" and "why" of practice, while information science provides the "how" of data
management and communication. This integration enhances all aspects of nursing practice, not
just administrative functions. Neither science replaces the other; they are complementary.
, Q7. A nurse manager is evaluating a new clinical decision support tool. The tool alerts the
nurse whenever a patient's heart rate exceeds 100 beats per minute, regardless of the
patient's baseline, diagnosis, or clinical context. Which DIKW level is missing from this tool's
design?
A. Data level
B. Information level
C. Knowledge level
D. Wisdom level
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The tool processes data (heart rate values) into information (alert when >100)
but lacks the knowledge level—the synthesis of information with clinical context, patient-
specific factors, and evidence-based guidelines. A knowledgeable system would consider the
patient's baseline, diagnosis, and clinical picture before alerting. Wisdom would involve ethical
considerations and patient preferences. The tool operates at the information level only.
Q8. Which statement accurately describes the TIGER initiative's primary purpose?
A. To develop new medical devices for continuous patient monitoring
B. To improve informatics competencies and technology skills among nurses
C. To create pharmaceutical databases for medication management
D. To manage hospital cafeteria and facilities systems
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: TIGER (Technology Informatics Guiding Education Reform) began in 2006 with
the goal of preparing nurses to use informatics and technology to improve patient care through
education, competency development, and leadership. It is not focused on developing devices,
creating drug databases, or managing non-clinical systems. TIGER aims to enhance the nurse's
ability to use electronic health records and advance healthcare information systems
infrastructure.
Q9. A nurse who can effectively use EHRs for documentation, access patient information, and
use basic decision support features demonstrates which level of informatics competency
according to Benner's model adapted for informatics?
