WGU D220 • INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN NURSING PRACTICE
WGU D220
Nursing Informatics
Practice Exam
2026–2027 | Questions, Answers & Detailed Rationales
Original practice questions • Clinical scenarios • EHR • Data quality • Privacy • Interoperability •
Clinical decision support
Original educational practice resource • 2026–2027
, WGU D220 • INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN NURSING PRACTICE
Candidate Instructions
This is an original self-study practice exam designed to reinforce foundational concepts
associated with WGU D220, Information Technology in Nursing Practice. These questions are
not official WGU assessment items and are not copied from a live or secure exam. Select the
single best answer, then review the rationale and distractor explanations.
• Suggested self-study time: 45–60 minutes; not an official exam time limit.
• Use the current course learning guide and pre-assessment feedback to confirm the
competencies emphasized in your course version.
• Follow organizational privacy, security, documentation, and academic-integrity policies.
Content Areas
• Nursing informatics and the DIKW framework
• EHRs, documentation, data quality, and standardized terminology
• Clinical decision support and medication safety
• Interoperability, HIE, and health data standards
• Privacy, confidentiality, cybersecurity, and ethics
• Telehealth, patient engagement, analytics, and quality improvement
Question 1. An isolated EHR value reads “potassium 3.1 mmol/L.” In the DIKW framework,
this is primarily:
A. Wisdom
B. Knowledge
C. Data
D. Information
Correct answer: C
Detailed rationale: A raw, uninterpreted value is data. Context turns it into information;
recognizing patterns builds knowledge; applying judgment reflects wisdom.
Original educational practice resource • 2026–2027
, WGU D220 • INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN NURSING PRACTICE
Why the other options are incorrect: A: A: Wisdom is informed application of judgment. B: B:
Knowledge involves understanding patterns and relationships. D: D: Information is data placed
in context.
Key concept: DIKW moves from raw facts toward contextualized judgment.
Study pearl: Ask whether a finding is raw, contextualized, interpreted, or applied.
Question 2. A nurse recognizes a trend of elevated blood pressure across several visits.
This most directly reflects:
A. Raw data only
B. Knowledge derived from information
C. A security control
D. A data-exchange standard
Correct answer: B
Detailed rationale: Recognizing a pattern across contextualized readings reflects
knowledge, not merely a single raw value.
Why the other options are incorrect: A: A: The nurse is interpreting multiple values. C: C:
Security controls protect systems and data. D: D: A standard supports data exchange.
Key concept: Pattern recognition supports knowledge.
Study pearl: Separate recognizing a pattern from choosing an intervention.
Question 3. After reviewing trends, risks, and patient preferences, the nurse selects an
appropriate action. Which DIKW level is most evident?
A. Data
B. Information
C. Wisdom
D. Database
Original educational practice resource • 2026–2027
WGU D220
Nursing Informatics
Practice Exam
2026–2027 | Questions, Answers & Detailed Rationales
Original practice questions • Clinical scenarios • EHR • Data quality • Privacy • Interoperability •
Clinical decision support
Original educational practice resource • 2026–2027
, WGU D220 • INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN NURSING PRACTICE
Candidate Instructions
This is an original self-study practice exam designed to reinforce foundational concepts
associated with WGU D220, Information Technology in Nursing Practice. These questions are
not official WGU assessment items and are not copied from a live or secure exam. Select the
single best answer, then review the rationale and distractor explanations.
• Suggested self-study time: 45–60 minutes; not an official exam time limit.
• Use the current course learning guide and pre-assessment feedback to confirm the
competencies emphasized in your course version.
• Follow organizational privacy, security, documentation, and academic-integrity policies.
Content Areas
• Nursing informatics and the DIKW framework
• EHRs, documentation, data quality, and standardized terminology
• Clinical decision support and medication safety
• Interoperability, HIE, and health data standards
• Privacy, confidentiality, cybersecurity, and ethics
• Telehealth, patient engagement, analytics, and quality improvement
Question 1. An isolated EHR value reads “potassium 3.1 mmol/L.” In the DIKW framework,
this is primarily:
A. Wisdom
B. Knowledge
C. Data
D. Information
Correct answer: C
Detailed rationale: A raw, uninterpreted value is data. Context turns it into information;
recognizing patterns builds knowledge; applying judgment reflects wisdom.
Original educational practice resource • 2026–2027
, WGU D220 • INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN NURSING PRACTICE
Why the other options are incorrect: A: A: Wisdom is informed application of judgment. B: B:
Knowledge involves understanding patterns and relationships. D: D: Information is data placed
in context.
Key concept: DIKW moves from raw facts toward contextualized judgment.
Study pearl: Ask whether a finding is raw, contextualized, interpreted, or applied.
Question 2. A nurse recognizes a trend of elevated blood pressure across several visits.
This most directly reflects:
A. Raw data only
B. Knowledge derived from information
C. A security control
D. A data-exchange standard
Correct answer: B
Detailed rationale: Recognizing a pattern across contextualized readings reflects
knowledge, not merely a single raw value.
Why the other options are incorrect: A: A: The nurse is interpreting multiple values. C: C:
Security controls protect systems and data. D: D: A standard supports data exchange.
Key concept: Pattern recognition supports knowledge.
Study pearl: Separate recognizing a pattern from choosing an intervention.
Question 3. After reviewing trends, risks, and patient preferences, the nurse selects an
appropriate action. Which DIKW level is most evident?
A. Data
B. Information
C. Wisdom
D. Database
Original educational practice resource • 2026–2027
