WGU D220 PRE-ASSESSMENT LATEST 2026/2027 |
Information Technology in Nursing Practice | Questions &
Verified Answers | 100% Correct | Grade A | Pass Guaranteed
- A+ Graded
Section 1: Foundations of Nursing Informatics (Questions 1-15)
Q1. According to the ANA, nursing informatics is best defined as:
A. The technical support role responsible for fixing computer hardware in hospitals
B. A specialty that integrates nursing science, computer science, and information
science to manage and communicate data, information, knowledge, and wisdom in
nursing practice [CORRECT]
C. The department that handles medical billing and insurance claims processing
D. A nursing role limited to training staff on new software applications
Rationale: The ANA formally defines nursing informatics as the integration of nursing
science with multiple information management and analytical sciences to support
nursing practice. Option A describes IT support, not nursing informatics. Option C
describes health information management/billing. Option D is too narrow, reducing
informatics to training rather than the full scope of data management, clinical decision
support, and knowledge generation. The WGU D220 curriculum establishes this
tripartite integration (nursing + computer + information science) as the foundational
definition.
Correct Answer: B
Q2. A nurse reviews a patient's blood pressure reading of 120/80 mmHg. This
represents which level of the DIKW hierarchy?
,A. Information
B. Data [CORRECT]
C. Knowledge
D. Wisdom
Rationale: A raw BP reading of 120/80 is uninterpreted data—a discrete fact without
context. Information (A) would interpret this as "BP within normal range for this patient."
Knowledge (C) would synthesize this with the patient's diagnosis (e.g., "Patient with
hypertension has controlled BP on current regimen"). Wisdom (D) would apply this to
patient-specific decision-making (e.g., "Continue current antihypertensive; no
medication changes needed; reinforce lifestyle modifications"). The WGU D220 DIKW
framework distinguishes these levels as foundational to informatics practice.
Correct Answer: B
Q3. In the DIKW hierarchy, "wisdom" is best characterized as:
A. Raw, unprocessed facts and figures
B. Data that has been interpreted and given meaning
C. Synthesized information applied with clinical judgment and experience to make
appropriate decisions [CORRECT]
D. Theoretical frameworks from nursing research studies
Rationale: Wisdom represents the highest DIKW level: the appropriate application of
knowledge to complex, ambiguous clinical situations using judgment, ethics, and
experience. Data (A) is raw facts. Information (B) is interpreted data. Knowledge (C in
distractors, but actually option C here is correct) is synthesized information. Theoretical
frameworks (D) are components of knowledge, not wisdom. The WGU D220 curriculum
emphasizes that informatics tools support but do not replace clinical wisdom.
Correct Answer: C
,Q4. The TIGER initiative (Technology Informatics Guiding Education Reform) primarily
aimed to:
A. Develop new electronic health record software for hospital systems
B. Improve nursing informatics competencies and integrate technology into nursing
education and practice [CORRECT]
C. Create federal regulations for healthcare data security
D. Establish certification requirements for hospital IT departments
Rationale: TIGER (launched 2006) focused on preparing the nursing workforce to use
technology and informatics to improve patient care through education reform,
competency development, and leadership. It did not develop software (A), create
regulations (C—HITECH/HIPAA did that), or certify IT departments (D). The WGU D220
curriculum references TIGER as a landmark effort in nursing informatics workforce
development.
Correct Answer: B
Q5. Which professional organization specifically focuses on nursing informatics and
offers the RN-BC certification in Nursing Informatics?
A. HIMSS
B. AMIA
C. ANCC (American Nurses Credentialing Center) [CORRECT]
D. AHIMA
Rationale: ANCC, a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association, offers the
Informatics Nursing Certification (RN-BC). HIMSS (A) offers CPHIMS/CAHIMS for
health IT professionals broadly. AMIA (B) focuses on medical/clinical informatics
across disciplines. AHIMA (D) is for health information management professionals
(coding, records). The WGU D220 curriculum maps certification pathways to career
roles, with RN-BC as the nursing-specific credential.
Correct Answer: C
, Q6. The HITECH Act of 2009 primarily accomplished which of the following?
A. Established the FDA approval process for medical devices
B. Provided financial incentives for meaningful use of electronic health records and
strengthened HIPAA enforcement [CORRECT]
C. Created the Medicare program for elderly Americans
D. Standardized nursing education curricula across all states
Rationale: HITECH (Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health
Act) allocated $27 billion for EHR adoption through meaningful use incentives and
significantly strengthened HIPAA enforcement with increased penalties. FDA medical
device approval (A) predates HITECH. Medicare (C) was established in 1965. Nursing
curricula (D) are state board-governed, not federally standardized. The WGU D220
curriculum positions HITECH as the catalyst for widespread US EHR adoption.
Correct Answer: B
Q7. A Chief Nursing Informatics Officer (CNIO) is primarily responsible for:
A. Direct patient care on a medical-surgical unit
B. Strategic alignment of nursing informatics with organizational goals, clinical
workflows, and patient outcomes [CORRECT]
C. Processing payroll and human resources functions for nursing staff
D. Manufacturing medical devices and equipment for hospital use
Rationale: The CNIO is an executive-level role bridging nursing practice, information
technology, and organizational strategy—ensuring informatics investments support
clinical quality, safety, and efficiency. Direct patient care (A) is a staff nurse role.
Payroll/HR (C) is administrative. Medical device manufacturing (D) is industry, not
healthcare delivery. The WGU D220 curriculum describes CNIO as the pinnacle of
nursing informatics leadership.
Correct Answer: B
Information Technology in Nursing Practice | Questions &
Verified Answers | 100% Correct | Grade A | Pass Guaranteed
- A+ Graded
Section 1: Foundations of Nursing Informatics (Questions 1-15)
Q1. According to the ANA, nursing informatics is best defined as:
A. The technical support role responsible for fixing computer hardware in hospitals
B. A specialty that integrates nursing science, computer science, and information
science to manage and communicate data, information, knowledge, and wisdom in
nursing practice [CORRECT]
C. The department that handles medical billing and insurance claims processing
D. A nursing role limited to training staff on new software applications
Rationale: The ANA formally defines nursing informatics as the integration of nursing
science with multiple information management and analytical sciences to support
nursing practice. Option A describes IT support, not nursing informatics. Option C
describes health information management/billing. Option D is too narrow, reducing
informatics to training rather than the full scope of data management, clinical decision
support, and knowledge generation. The WGU D220 curriculum establishes this
tripartite integration (nursing + computer + information science) as the foundational
definition.
Correct Answer: B
Q2. A nurse reviews a patient's blood pressure reading of 120/80 mmHg. This
represents which level of the DIKW hierarchy?
,A. Information
B. Data [CORRECT]
C. Knowledge
D. Wisdom
Rationale: A raw BP reading of 120/80 is uninterpreted data—a discrete fact without
context. Information (A) would interpret this as "BP within normal range for this patient."
Knowledge (C) would synthesize this with the patient's diagnosis (e.g., "Patient with
hypertension has controlled BP on current regimen"). Wisdom (D) would apply this to
patient-specific decision-making (e.g., "Continue current antihypertensive; no
medication changes needed; reinforce lifestyle modifications"). The WGU D220 DIKW
framework distinguishes these levels as foundational to informatics practice.
Correct Answer: B
Q3. In the DIKW hierarchy, "wisdom" is best characterized as:
A. Raw, unprocessed facts and figures
B. Data that has been interpreted and given meaning
C. Synthesized information applied with clinical judgment and experience to make
appropriate decisions [CORRECT]
D. Theoretical frameworks from nursing research studies
Rationale: Wisdom represents the highest DIKW level: the appropriate application of
knowledge to complex, ambiguous clinical situations using judgment, ethics, and
experience. Data (A) is raw facts. Information (B) is interpreted data. Knowledge (C in
distractors, but actually option C here is correct) is synthesized information. Theoretical
frameworks (D) are components of knowledge, not wisdom. The WGU D220 curriculum
emphasizes that informatics tools support but do not replace clinical wisdom.
Correct Answer: C
,Q4. The TIGER initiative (Technology Informatics Guiding Education Reform) primarily
aimed to:
A. Develop new electronic health record software for hospital systems
B. Improve nursing informatics competencies and integrate technology into nursing
education and practice [CORRECT]
C. Create federal regulations for healthcare data security
D. Establish certification requirements for hospital IT departments
Rationale: TIGER (launched 2006) focused on preparing the nursing workforce to use
technology and informatics to improve patient care through education reform,
competency development, and leadership. It did not develop software (A), create
regulations (C—HITECH/HIPAA did that), or certify IT departments (D). The WGU D220
curriculum references TIGER as a landmark effort in nursing informatics workforce
development.
Correct Answer: B
Q5. Which professional organization specifically focuses on nursing informatics and
offers the RN-BC certification in Nursing Informatics?
A. HIMSS
B. AMIA
C. ANCC (American Nurses Credentialing Center) [CORRECT]
D. AHIMA
Rationale: ANCC, a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association, offers the
Informatics Nursing Certification (RN-BC). HIMSS (A) offers CPHIMS/CAHIMS for
health IT professionals broadly. AMIA (B) focuses on medical/clinical informatics
across disciplines. AHIMA (D) is for health information management professionals
(coding, records). The WGU D220 curriculum maps certification pathways to career
roles, with RN-BC as the nursing-specific credential.
Correct Answer: C
, Q6. The HITECH Act of 2009 primarily accomplished which of the following?
A. Established the FDA approval process for medical devices
B. Provided financial incentives for meaningful use of electronic health records and
strengthened HIPAA enforcement [CORRECT]
C. Created the Medicare program for elderly Americans
D. Standardized nursing education curricula across all states
Rationale: HITECH (Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health
Act) allocated $27 billion for EHR adoption through meaningful use incentives and
significantly strengthened HIPAA enforcement with increased penalties. FDA medical
device approval (A) predates HITECH. Medicare (C) was established in 1965. Nursing
curricula (D) are state board-governed, not federally standardized. The WGU D220
curriculum positions HITECH as the catalyst for widespread US EHR adoption.
Correct Answer: B
Q7. A Chief Nursing Informatics Officer (CNIO) is primarily responsible for:
A. Direct patient care on a medical-surgical unit
B. Strategic alignment of nursing informatics with organizational goals, clinical
workflows, and patient outcomes [CORRECT]
C. Processing payroll and human resources functions for nursing staff
D. Manufacturing medical devices and equipment for hospital use
Rationale: The CNIO is an executive-level role bridging nursing practice, information
technology, and organizational strategy—ensuring informatics investments support
clinical quality, safety, and efficiency. Direct patient care (A) is a staff nurse role.
Payroll/HR (C) is administrative. Medical device manufacturing (D) is industry, not
healthcare delivery. The WGU D220 curriculum describes CNIO as the pinnacle of
nursing informatics leadership.
Correct Answer: B
