WGU D033 OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT
2023-2026 Health Information Systems &
Technology Questions with Answers &
Rationales
QUESTION 1
What is an information system?
A. A system that only processes financial data
B. A manual system for recording patient information
C. An automated system that uses computer hardware and software to record,
manipulate, store, recover, and disseminate data
D. A system that only stores patient demographic information
Answer: C. An automated system that uses computer hardware and software
to record, manipulate, store, recover, and disseminate data
Rationale: An information system is defined as an automated system that uses
computer hardware and software to record, manipulate, store, recover, and
disseminate data. It receives and processes input and provides output. It is not
limited to financial data, is not manual, and does more than just store demographic
information.
QUESTION 2
Which type of application handles patient accounts, budgets, and other financial
activities?
A. Clinical applications
B. Administrative applications
C. Financial applications
D. Operational applications
Answer: C. Financial applications
,Rationale: Financial applications are software applications specifically designed
to handle patient accounts, budgets, and other financial activities within healthcare
organizations. Clinical applications handle patient care data, administrative
applications manage workflow, and operational applications manage day-to-day
operations.
QUESTION 3
Which type of computer is used by the government and other organizations that
require speed and the ability to process large amounts of data?
A. Personal computers
B. Laptops
C. Mainframe computers
D. Tablets
Answer: C. Mainframe computers
Rationale: Mainframe computers are large computers used by the government and
other organizations that require high speed and the ability to process large amounts
of data. They are designed for high-volume processing and can support thousands
of users simultaneously. Personal computers, laptops, and tablets have less
processing capability.
QUESTION 4
Which of the following describes a dumb terminal?
A. A computer that has its own processing capabilities
B. All of the processing is performed at the server or mainframe
C. A wireless device that processes data locally
D. A tablet with full computing capabilities
Answer: B. All of the processing is performed at the server or mainframe
Rationale: A dumb terminal is a device where all processing is performed at the
server or mainframe. The terminal itself has no processing power and relies
entirely on the central computer for all computing functions. It is essentially an
input/output device without independent processing capabilities.
,QUESTION 5
Which system operates on a computer that is owned and maintained by a vendor?
A. Mainframe computing
B. Client-server computing
C. Cloud computing
D. Peer-to-peer computing
Answer: C. Cloud computing
Rationale: Cloud computing is a system that operates on a computer that is owned
and maintained by a vendor. The vendor provides computing resources (servers,
storage, databases, networking, software) over the internet, allowing organizations
to use these resources without owning or maintaining the underlying infrastructure.
QUESTION 6
What is an intranet?
A. A public network accessible to everyone
B. A private information network that uses Internet technologies with servers
located inside a firewall
C. A network that connects different healthcare organizations
D. A wireless network for mobile devices
Answer: B. A private information network that uses Internet technologies
with servers located inside a firewall
Rationale: An intranet is a private information network that uses Internet
technologies; however, its servers are located inside a firewall or security barrier so
that the general public cannot gain access to information housed within the
network. It provides internal communication and information sharing within an
organization.
QUESTION 7
, Which term refers to the exchange of health information electronically between
providers and others with the same level of interoperability?
A. Telehealth
B. Health Information Exchange (HIE)
C. Electronic Medical Record
D. Health Information Portability
Answer: B. Health Information Exchange (HIE)
Rationale: Health Information Exchange (HIE) refers to the exchange of health
information electronically between providers and others with the same level of
interoperability. It enables the sharing of patient data across different healthcare
organizations to improve coordination of care and patient outcomes.
QUESTION 8
Which term describes healthcare services based on clinical methods that have been
thoroughly tested through controlled, peer-reviewed biomedical studies?
A. Alternative medicine
B. Evidence-based medicine
C. Experimental medicine
D. Holistic medicine
Answer: B. Evidence-based medicine
Rationale: Evidence-based medicine refers to healthcare services based on clinical
methods that have been thoroughly tested through controlled, peer-reviewed
biomedical studies. It integrates the best available research evidence with clinical
expertise and patient values to make decisions about patient care.
QUESTION 9
Which tool is designed to coordinate multidisciplinary care planning for specific
diagnoses and treatments?
A. Clinical practice guidelines
B. Clinical pathways
2023-2026 Health Information Systems &
Technology Questions with Answers &
Rationales
QUESTION 1
What is an information system?
A. A system that only processes financial data
B. A manual system for recording patient information
C. An automated system that uses computer hardware and software to record,
manipulate, store, recover, and disseminate data
D. A system that only stores patient demographic information
Answer: C. An automated system that uses computer hardware and software
to record, manipulate, store, recover, and disseminate data
Rationale: An information system is defined as an automated system that uses
computer hardware and software to record, manipulate, store, recover, and
disseminate data. It receives and processes input and provides output. It is not
limited to financial data, is not manual, and does more than just store demographic
information.
QUESTION 2
Which type of application handles patient accounts, budgets, and other financial
activities?
A. Clinical applications
B. Administrative applications
C. Financial applications
D. Operational applications
Answer: C. Financial applications
,Rationale: Financial applications are software applications specifically designed
to handle patient accounts, budgets, and other financial activities within healthcare
organizations. Clinical applications handle patient care data, administrative
applications manage workflow, and operational applications manage day-to-day
operations.
QUESTION 3
Which type of computer is used by the government and other organizations that
require speed and the ability to process large amounts of data?
A. Personal computers
B. Laptops
C. Mainframe computers
D. Tablets
Answer: C. Mainframe computers
Rationale: Mainframe computers are large computers used by the government and
other organizations that require high speed and the ability to process large amounts
of data. They are designed for high-volume processing and can support thousands
of users simultaneously. Personal computers, laptops, and tablets have less
processing capability.
QUESTION 4
Which of the following describes a dumb terminal?
A. A computer that has its own processing capabilities
B. All of the processing is performed at the server or mainframe
C. A wireless device that processes data locally
D. A tablet with full computing capabilities
Answer: B. All of the processing is performed at the server or mainframe
Rationale: A dumb terminal is a device where all processing is performed at the
server or mainframe. The terminal itself has no processing power and relies
entirely on the central computer for all computing functions. It is essentially an
input/output device without independent processing capabilities.
,QUESTION 5
Which system operates on a computer that is owned and maintained by a vendor?
A. Mainframe computing
B. Client-server computing
C. Cloud computing
D. Peer-to-peer computing
Answer: C. Cloud computing
Rationale: Cloud computing is a system that operates on a computer that is owned
and maintained by a vendor. The vendor provides computing resources (servers,
storage, databases, networking, software) over the internet, allowing organizations
to use these resources without owning or maintaining the underlying infrastructure.
QUESTION 6
What is an intranet?
A. A public network accessible to everyone
B. A private information network that uses Internet technologies with servers
located inside a firewall
C. A network that connects different healthcare organizations
D. A wireless network for mobile devices
Answer: B. A private information network that uses Internet technologies
with servers located inside a firewall
Rationale: An intranet is a private information network that uses Internet
technologies; however, its servers are located inside a firewall or security barrier so
that the general public cannot gain access to information housed within the
network. It provides internal communication and information sharing within an
organization.
QUESTION 7
, Which term refers to the exchange of health information electronically between
providers and others with the same level of interoperability?
A. Telehealth
B. Health Information Exchange (HIE)
C. Electronic Medical Record
D. Health Information Portability
Answer: B. Health Information Exchange (HIE)
Rationale: Health Information Exchange (HIE) refers to the exchange of health
information electronically between providers and others with the same level of
interoperability. It enables the sharing of patient data across different healthcare
organizations to improve coordination of care and patient outcomes.
QUESTION 8
Which term describes healthcare services based on clinical methods that have been
thoroughly tested through controlled, peer-reviewed biomedical studies?
A. Alternative medicine
B. Evidence-based medicine
C. Experimental medicine
D. Holistic medicine
Answer: B. Evidence-based medicine
Rationale: Evidence-based medicine refers to healthcare services based on clinical
methods that have been thoroughly tested through controlled, peer-reviewed
biomedical studies. It integrates the best available research evidence with clinical
expertise and patient values to make decisions about patient care.
QUESTION 9
Which tool is designed to coordinate multidisciplinary care planning for specific
diagnoses and treatments?
A. Clinical practice guidelines
B. Clinical pathways
