Module 48 The Concept of Informatics

The nurse is preparing a tool to teach clients how to determine the validity of content obtained from health-related Internet websites. What information should the nurse plan to include in this teaching tool? Select all that apply. A) Source for the information B) Sponsor of the website C) Ways to identify if the site is selling a product D) Number of visitors to the website E) Date the content was last reviewed

A, B, C, E) When analyzing online information the source of the information should be validated. The sponsor of the website should be clearly identified. The site should be studied to see if a product is being sold. A date when the data was last reviewed or updated should be visible. It is not necessary to locate the number of visitors to the website.

The nurse is evaluating the components of the computer system used in the healthcare organization. What should the nurse realize about the functions of the clinical information system and administrative information system? Select all that apply. A) They serve as tools to manage finances. B) They are used to store demographics. C) The systems are separate. D) The systems support each other. E) They are two independent systems.

A, B, D, E) The clinical information system supports the administration system by inputting information for billing purposes such as procedures performed. The administration system admits the client and includes information that assists the clinical system such as client allergies. The systems function independently but are not separate. Finances and demographics are managed by the administrative function.

The clinical information system committee at a major healthcare organization is designing a plan to ensure the protection of client information. Which approach(es) should this committee include in the implementation plan? Select all that apply. A) Design policies to address password protection and log-in information. B) Determine how to handle clients who desire to "friend" staff through social media. C) Identify applications that interface with smartphones. D) Create interfaces so that health data can be inputted by the client. E) Identify a procedure if information is inputted in the incorrect client record.

A, B, E) The committee is creating a plan to ensure the protection of client information. The committee needs to design polices for password protection and log-in information, determine mechanisms to handle clients and staff who communicate through social media, and what to do if information is inputted into an incorrect medical record. Identifying applications that interface with smartphones and creating interfaces so that clients can input health data are not approaches to ensure the protection of client information.

The nurse who uses the computer during client care notices increased eyestrain since the organization began using the electronic medical record for nursing documentation. What should the nurse do to minimize eyestrain? A) Use a firm board to rest the palm. B) Use a glare filter. C) Obtain a paper chart for nursing documentation. D) Use a lumbar support.

B) A glare filter may decrease the eyestrain that the nurse is experiencing. The nurse will not be allowed to chart on paper because the nursing documentation is electronic. A firm, flat board or hard surface to rest the palm is the best way to protect the wrist from injury. A lumbar support helps with appropriate body posture for the back.

While being providing care, a client asks the nurse why the computer is being used. What should the nurse respond to the client? A) "The information that is uploaded is available for anyone to view." B) "Computers improve client care because information is readily available." C) "The computer decreases documentation time for nurses." D) "Computers allow you access to your medical record."

B) Nursing informatics is the science of using computers in nursing practice to improve client care by making client information easily accessible. Documenting client information by computer does not necessarily reduce charting time, depending on the system used. The client's information is protected by privacy laws. The client may read the chart, whether written or computerized, in the presence of a physician.

A rural home health nurse is caring for a client recovering from a myocardial infarction. The client is concerned that the community clinic does not have the ability to provide the necessary monitoring for the health problem. Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate? A) "It is not necessary for you to be monitored after a myocardial infarction." B) "Through technological advances such as telehealth, we can send your information to the cardiologist." C) "You are right. We will be sending you to the city every month." D) "We use an intranet in this facility."

B) Through telehealth advances, clients who live in remote areas can have their information monitored by specialists using computers. Because of this technology, clients do not need to make frequent visits to specialists for monitoring and evaluation of progress. A client who has experienced a myocardial infarction does require monitoring. The intranet is used within an agency or system and is not a tool that can be accessed from the outside.

A client being treated for cancer is receiving care through a facility that is 100 miles from the client's home. After explaining how telehealth will be used to enhance this client's care, which statement indicates that teaching about telehealth has been effective? Select all that apply. A) "I will have to move closer to the provider." B) "My health record can stay where I am." C) "I can participate in the videoconference." D) "I will have to change doctors." E) "This will help lower some costs of care."

B, C, E) Using telehealth, the client can live and stay in the home and does not need to move closer to the treatment or monitoring facility. The client will not be required to change healthcare providers. Telehealth allows for the client to participate in a videoconference, keep health records in the home agency, and lower many of the costs that could be incurred with frequent travel.

The nurse is preparing discharge instructions for a client with a foot wound. How will the nursing information system support this client's learning needs? A) Improves documentation about the client's status B) Summarizes the list of charges that will appear on the client's bill C) Provides a record of all medications received while hospitalized D) Prints discharge instructions to use for teaching

D) A nursing information system must give the nurse the ability to access client information and provide data necessary to execute the nursing process of assessing, diagnosing, planning, implementing, and evaluating the care of the client; however, documenting information about the client's status will not help with discharge instructions. A nursing information system does not provide a list of charges from the hospital stay. Pharmacy information, such as medication, route, dose, and time, should be available in the client's chart in real time. The system should allow the nurse to print discharge instructions with medication information to review with the client.