Digital Health & Medical Informatics 2026 Exam Prep

1. What is the primary function of the HL7 FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) standard? A) To manage hospital financial accounting. B) To provide a standardized, web-based API framework for the exchange of electronic health records. C) To encrypt physical patient medical charts. D) To regulate the speed of medical equipment. Correct Answer: B) To provide a standardized, web-based API framework for the exchange of electronic health records. 2. What is "Interoperability" in medical informatics? A) The ability of different software systems to connect, exchange data, and interpret the shared information. B) A type of medical device used in surgery. C) The process of printing medical documents. D) A language used only by hospital administrators. Correct Answer: A) The ability of different software systems to connect, exchange data, and interpret the shared information. 3. What is a "Clinical Decision Support System" (CDSS)? A) A system for tracking hospital inventory. B) A health information technology system designed to provide clinicians with knowledge and person-specific information to enhance health decisions. C) A tool used to bill insurance companies. D) A patient appointment scheduling software. Correct Answer: B) A health information technology system designed to provide clinicians with knowledge and person-specific information. 4. Which standard is primarily used for the coding of laboratory test results? A) ICD-10 B) LOINC (Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes) C) SNOMED CT D) CPT Correct Answer: B) LOINC 5. What is the scope of SNOMED CT in clinical informatics? A) It is limited to surgical procedures only. B) It is a comprehensive clinical terminology used to represent clinical information in EHRs. C) It is strictly for pharmacy inventory. D) It tracks hospital building maintenance. Correct Answer: B) It is a comprehensive clinical terminology used to represent clinical information in EHRs. 6. What is the primary purpose of an Electronic Health Record (EHR)? A) To keep data isolated within one department. B) To provide a longitudinal, digital record of a patient's health information that is accessible across different care settings. C) To replace patient physical examinations. D) To market services to patients. Correct Answer: B) To provide a longitudinal, digital record of a patient's health information that is accessible across different care settings. 7. In 2026, how is Artificial Intelligence primarily used in medical imaging? A) Fully autonomous diagnosis without any physician oversight. B) Automated screening of images to highlight abnormalities and assist in triage/prioritization. C) Replacing the radiologist entirely. D) Increasing the brightness and contrast of old X-rays. Correct Answer: B) Automated screening of images to highlight abnormalities and assist in triage/prioritization. 8. What is the biggest barrier to the effective use of "Big Data" in 2026 healthcare? A) Lack of computers. B) Data silos, lack of standardization, and ensuring robust privacy/security protocols. C) Lack of internet access. D) Too much storage space. Correct Answer: B) Data silos, lack of standardization, and ensuring robust privacy/security protocols. 9. "Telemedicine" refers to: A) The use of televisions for hospital entertainment. B) The delivery of healthcare services from a distance using telecommunications and information technologies. C) The physical transportation of doctors to patients. D) Robotic manufacturing of pills. Correct Answer: B) The delivery of healthcare services from a distance using telecommunications and information technologies. 10. What are "Wearable Health Devices"? A) Standard medical laboratory equipment. B) Devices worn on the body to continuously monitor and report physiological data to the patient or clinician. C) Clothing used in surgical procedures. D) Heavy hospital bed attachments. Correct Answer: B) Devices worn on the body to continuously monitor and report physiological data. 11. What is "Privacy by Design"? A) Applying privacy protections only after a data breach. B) A framework where data protection is embedded into the development of IT systems from the initial design stage. C) Keeping all data on paper to ensure privacy. D) Asking the patient to protect their own data. Correct Answer: B) A framework where data protection is embedded into the development of IT systems from the initial design stage. 12. What is the core mandate of HIPAA regarding patient data? A) To share data with anyone who asks. B) To protect the privacy and security of individually identifiable health information (PHI). C) To force patients to share their medical records online. D) To store all data on physical servers only. Correct Answer: B) To protect the privacy and security of individually identifiable health information (PHI). 13. What is a "Clinical Interface" in informatics? A) The hardware behind the hospital wall. B) The front-end view of the software that clinicians use to enter and access patient data. C) The power supply for the hospital. D) The network cabling under the floor. Correct Answer: B) The front-end view of the software that clinicians use to enter and access patient data. 14. What does "De-identification" of data achieve? A) It permanently deletes patient history. B) It removes identifiers to protect privacy while allowing the data to remain useful for research. C) It adds false information to a record. D) It creates a duplicate record for a patient. Correct Answer: B) It removes identifiers to protect privacy while allowing the data to remain useful for research. 15. How does "Machine Learning" impact healthcare diagnostics? A) By creating random treatment plans. B) By identifying complex patterns in patient history and lab data to predict outcomes and suggest diagnoses. C) By replacing patient interviews. D) By speeding up surgical procedures manually. Correct Answer: B) By identifying complex patterns in patient history and lab data to predict outcomes and suggest diagnoses. 16. What is an API (Application Programming Interface)? A) A set of protocols that allows different software programs to communicate and share data. B) A graphical user interface for patients. C) The database where medical records are stored. D) A set of cables connecting the hospital to the internet. Correct Answer: A) A set of protocols that allows different software programs to communicate and share data. 17. "SNOMED CT" is best described as: A) A billing classification system. B) A highly detailed clinical terminology and coding system. C) A hospital location system. D) A laboratory testing method. Correct Answer: B) A highly detailed clinical terminology and coding system. 18. What is the benefit of "Cloud Computing" for hospitals? A) It increases the physical space needed in a hospital. B) It allows for scalable data storage, easier remote access, and lower maintenance costs than local servers. C) It eliminates the need for IT staff. D) It is mandatory for all hospitals. Correct Answer: B) It allows for scalable data storage, easier remote access, and lower maintenance costs. 19. What is "Protected Health Information" (PHI)? A) Publicly accessible medical research. B) Any information about a patient’s health, treatment, or payment that can be linked to their identity. C) Information known only to the patient. D) Information that is irrelevant to healthcare. Correct Answer: B) Any information about a patient’s health, treatment, or payment that can be linked to their identity. 20. In informatics, "Usability" testing is used to: A) Increase the speed of the computer processor. B) Ensure that software is easy, safe, and efficient for clinicians to use. C) Test the physical strength of a monitor. D) Check if the software is aesthetically pleasing only. Correct Answer: B) Ensure that software is easy, safe, and efficient for clinicians to use. 21. What is "Semantic Interoperability"? A) When two computers can talk to each other but don't understand the data. B) The ability of systems to exchange information and interpret the meaning of that information consistently. C) The ability to physically connect cables. D) The ability to save files in different formats. Correct Answer: B) The ability of systems to exchange information and interpret the meaning of that information consistently. 22. What is "Data Normalization"? A) Storing data in random locations. B) Organizing data in a consistent format so it can be compared across different systems. C) Deleting older data. D) Encrypting data with passwords. Correct Answer: B) Organizing data in a consistent format so it can be compared across different systems. 23. "Telehealth" is broader than telemedicine because: A) It includes remote health education and provider training in addition to clinical services. B) It is used only in homes. C) It is less reliable. D) It is more expensive. Correct Answer: A) It includes remote health education and provider training in addition to clinical services. 24. What are "Patient Portals"? A) Devices that track patient location. B) Secure websites that allow patients to access their health records, lab results, and communicate with providers. C) Doors for hospital entrances. D) Software for doctor payroll. Correct Answer: B) Secure websites that allow patients to access their health records and communicate with providers. 25. "Cybersecurity" in health is critical due to: A) The low value of data. B) The high sensitivity of medical data and the risk of ransomware attacks on care delivery. C) Government regulations only. D) The risk of power outages. Correct Answer: B) The high sensitivity of medical data and the risk of ransomware attacks on care delivery. 26. "Natural Language Processing" (NLP) in informatics helps to: A) Turn hospital rooms into offices. B) Extract meaningful information from unstructured clinical notes. C) Automatically translate languages for all hospital staff. D) Replace medical terminology with slang. Correct Answer: B) Extract meaningful information from unstructured clinical notes. 27. What is the role of an "EHR Administrator"? A) To physically organize the paper files in a room. B) To manage, configure, and maintain the electronic health record system. C) To perform surgeries. D) To treat patients. Correct Answer: B) To manage, configure, and maintain the electronic health record system. 28. "Big Data" sources in medicine include: A) Only patient interviews. B) EHRs, medical imaging, genomic data, and sensor data. C) Only internet news. D) Only doctor opinions. Correct Answer: B) EHRs, medical imaging, genomic data, and sensor data. 29. "Evidence-Based Medicine" (EBM) uses informatics to: A) Ignore clinical research. B) Integrate high-quality evidence into clinical practice guidelines within decision support systems. C) Guess what treatment is best. D) Rely only on recent patient experiences. Correct Answer: B) Integrate high-quality evidence into clinical practice guidelines within decision support systems. 30. "Standardization" reduces: A) Clarity. B) Variability and errors in data. C) The need for IT staff. D) The quality of care. Correct Answer: B) Variability and errors in data. 31. "FHIR" uses: A) XML only. B) JSON/XML for data format. C) Paper. D) Handwritten notes. Correct Answer: B) JSON/XML for data format. 32. "LOINC" tracks: A) Billing. B) Labs. C) Staff. D) Building location. Correct Answer: B) Labs. 33. "SNOMED" tracks: A) Concepts. B) Money. C) Time. D) Speed. Correct Answer: A) Concepts. 34. "EHR" promotes: A) Coordination. B) Isolation. C) Confusion. D) Delay. Correct Answer: A) Coordination. 35. "AI" assists: A) Diagnosis. B) Billing. C) Parking. D) Decorating. Correct Answer: A) Diagnosis. 36. "Big Data" is: A) High volume. B) Small volume. C) Low speed. D) Static. Correct Answer: A)