Nursing Informatics: Exam 1 - Questions with Correct Answers
100 questions
1. A key difference between information technology and informatics is that informatics:
A. Is only about hardware
B. Is unrelated to data
C. Focuses on using information and technology to improve outcomes in a specific domain such
as nursing
D. Avoids clinical work
Correct Answer: C. Focuses on using information and technology to improve outcomes in a
specific domain such as nursing
Rationale: Informatics applies information science to a discipline's goals, while IT focuses on
technical infrastructure. Informatics is centered on data use and clinical outcomes.
2. Wisdom in the DIKW framework is most closely associated with:
A. Collecting more raw data
B. Storing information
C. Coding software
D. Knowing when and how to apply knowledge in a specific situation
Correct Answer: D. Knowing when and how to apply knowledge in a specific situation
Rationale: Wisdom involves judgment and ethical application. Collecting or storing data and
coding software do not represent wisdom.
,3. In Lewin's model, the refreezing stage of an EHR implementation involves:
A. Reinforcing and stabilizing the new workflows so they become routine
B. Introducing the need for change
C. Removing the system
D. Starting the vendor search
Correct Answer: A. Reinforcing and stabilizing the new workflows so they become routine
Rationale: Refreezing makes the change permanent through policies, support and
reinforcement. Communicating the need for change is unfreezing, and removing the system or
vendor selection are not refreezing.
4. Lewin's change theory includes the stages of:
A. Unfreezing, moving (changing) and refreezing
B. Assessment, diagnosis and evaluation
C. Input, throughput and output
D. Planning, doing, studying and acting
Correct Answer: A. Unfreezing, moving (changing) and refreezing
Rationale: Lewin described preparing for change, implementing it and stabilizing it. The other
options describe the nursing process, systems theory and PDSA.
5. Research findings showing that early mobility reduces pneumonia rates across many surgical
patients represent which DIKW level?
A. Data
B. Knowledge
C. Information about one patient
D. A software application
Correct Answer: B. Knowledge
Rationale: Knowledge is formed when information is synthesized to identify patterns and
relationships. Single values are data, interpretations about one patient are information, and an
application is a tool.
,6. Interprofessional collaboration in informatics projects matters because:
A. Only nurses use clinical systems
B. IT staff understand all clinical needs alone
C. Collaboration slows projects with no benefit
D. Systems are used by many disciplines whose workflows and needs must be integrated
Correct Answer: D. Systems are used by many disciplines whose workflows and needs must
be integrated
Rationale: Nurses, physicians, pharmacists and others depend on shared systems. Involving all
disciplines improves design and safety.
7. An informatics nurse who evaluates whether a new documentation system reduced charting
time is engaging in:
A. System design only
B. Vendor selection
C. Outcome evaluation
D. Hardware maintenance
Correct Answer: C. Outcome evaluation
Rationale: Measuring results shows whether the system achieved its goals and guides
optimization. Design, vendor selection and maintenance are other activities.
8. An example of informatics supporting the nursing process is:
A. Handwritten notes stored in a drawer
B. Verbal orders without documentation
C. Structured assessment documentation that triggers care plan suggestions
D. Paper charts lost between units
Correct Answer: C. Structured assessment documentation that triggers care plan suggestions
Rationale: Electronic tools can link assessment data to care planning and evaluation. The other
options lack integration and safety.
, 9. A data dictionary is:
A. A dictionary of medical terms for patients
B. A document defining each data element, its format and allowable values
C. A list of passwords
D. A type of printer
Correct Answer: B. A document defining each data element, its format and allowable values
Rationale: Data dictionaries ensure consistent definitions across systems and reports. They are
not lay dictionaries or password lists.
10. Critical clinical workstations and servers are often connected to an uninterruptible power
supply (UPS) and emergency power because:
A. They speed up the network
B. They provide continuous power during outages so systems and data are not lost
C. They encrypt data
D. They replace backups
Correct Answer: B. They provide continuous power during outages so systems and data are
not lost
Rationale: Power interruptions can corrupt data and disrupt care, so backup power keeps
essential systems running long enough to switch to generators or shut down safely. It does not
speed networks, encrypt data or replace backups.
11. An intranet differs from the internet in that an intranet is:
A. Open to the public worldwide
B. A type of virus
C. A storage drive
D. A private network accessible only to an organization's authorized users
Correct Answer: D. A private network accessible only to an organization's authorized users
Rationale: Hospitals use intranets for policies, internal communication and resources. The
internet is public, and an intranet is not a virus or drive.
100 questions
1. A key difference between information technology and informatics is that informatics:
A. Is only about hardware
B. Is unrelated to data
C. Focuses on using information and technology to improve outcomes in a specific domain such
as nursing
D. Avoids clinical work
Correct Answer: C. Focuses on using information and technology to improve outcomes in a
specific domain such as nursing
Rationale: Informatics applies information science to a discipline's goals, while IT focuses on
technical infrastructure. Informatics is centered on data use and clinical outcomes.
2. Wisdom in the DIKW framework is most closely associated with:
A. Collecting more raw data
B. Storing information
C. Coding software
D. Knowing when and how to apply knowledge in a specific situation
Correct Answer: D. Knowing when and how to apply knowledge in a specific situation
Rationale: Wisdom involves judgment and ethical application. Collecting or storing data and
coding software do not represent wisdom.
,3. In Lewin's model, the refreezing stage of an EHR implementation involves:
A. Reinforcing and stabilizing the new workflows so they become routine
B. Introducing the need for change
C. Removing the system
D. Starting the vendor search
Correct Answer: A. Reinforcing and stabilizing the new workflows so they become routine
Rationale: Refreezing makes the change permanent through policies, support and
reinforcement. Communicating the need for change is unfreezing, and removing the system or
vendor selection are not refreezing.
4. Lewin's change theory includes the stages of:
A. Unfreezing, moving (changing) and refreezing
B. Assessment, diagnosis and evaluation
C. Input, throughput and output
D. Planning, doing, studying and acting
Correct Answer: A. Unfreezing, moving (changing) and refreezing
Rationale: Lewin described preparing for change, implementing it and stabilizing it. The other
options describe the nursing process, systems theory and PDSA.
5. Research findings showing that early mobility reduces pneumonia rates across many surgical
patients represent which DIKW level?
A. Data
B. Knowledge
C. Information about one patient
D. A software application
Correct Answer: B. Knowledge
Rationale: Knowledge is formed when information is synthesized to identify patterns and
relationships. Single values are data, interpretations about one patient are information, and an
application is a tool.
,6. Interprofessional collaboration in informatics projects matters because:
A. Only nurses use clinical systems
B. IT staff understand all clinical needs alone
C. Collaboration slows projects with no benefit
D. Systems are used by many disciplines whose workflows and needs must be integrated
Correct Answer: D. Systems are used by many disciplines whose workflows and needs must
be integrated
Rationale: Nurses, physicians, pharmacists and others depend on shared systems. Involving all
disciplines improves design and safety.
7. An informatics nurse who evaluates whether a new documentation system reduced charting
time is engaging in:
A. System design only
B. Vendor selection
C. Outcome evaluation
D. Hardware maintenance
Correct Answer: C. Outcome evaluation
Rationale: Measuring results shows whether the system achieved its goals and guides
optimization. Design, vendor selection and maintenance are other activities.
8. An example of informatics supporting the nursing process is:
A. Handwritten notes stored in a drawer
B. Verbal orders without documentation
C. Structured assessment documentation that triggers care plan suggestions
D. Paper charts lost between units
Correct Answer: C. Structured assessment documentation that triggers care plan suggestions
Rationale: Electronic tools can link assessment data to care planning and evaluation. The other
options lack integration and safety.
, 9. A data dictionary is:
A. A dictionary of medical terms for patients
B. A document defining each data element, its format and allowable values
C. A list of passwords
D. A type of printer
Correct Answer: B. A document defining each data element, its format and allowable values
Rationale: Data dictionaries ensure consistent definitions across systems and reports. They are
not lay dictionaries or password lists.
10. Critical clinical workstations and servers are often connected to an uninterruptible power
supply (UPS) and emergency power because:
A. They speed up the network
B. They provide continuous power during outages so systems and data are not lost
C. They encrypt data
D. They replace backups
Correct Answer: B. They provide continuous power during outages so systems and data are
not lost
Rationale: Power interruptions can corrupt data and disrupt care, so backup power keeps
essential systems running long enough to switch to generators or shut down safely. It does not
speed networks, encrypt data or replace backups.
11. An intranet differs from the internet in that an intranet is:
A. Open to the public worldwide
B. A type of virus
C. A storage drive
D. A private network accessible only to an organization's authorized users
Correct Answer: D. A private network accessible only to an organization's authorized users
Rationale: Hospitals use intranets for policies, internal communication and resources. The
internet is public, and an intranet is not a virus or drive.
