Question 1

Information technology can be a time-saving device in a busy practice if it is used wisely. One way to make it a help rather than a hindrance is to:

Accepted Answer

Prioritizing what information is needed and avoiding spending time on unrelated tasks is key to using technology effectively in a busy practice. Checking email frequently and addressing patient questions promptly is also important, but not at the expense of completing more pressing tasks. While it is important to check for viruses and malware, it is not directly related to using technology wisely in a busy practice. Integrating personal and professional searching may also be helpful, but is not necessarily the most important factor in using technology effectively in this context.

Question 2

The use of information technology for quality improvement in pharmacotherapeutics includes:

Accepted Answer

Tracking data trends within the practice via the electronic health record database allows for identification of areas for improvement in pharmacotherapeutics, such as medication errors or adverse drug reactions. Incorporating the use of "apps" into all patient encounters and using macros for individualizing patient care management are helpful, but not comprehensive strategies for quality improvement. Informing patients that they have access to their medication list via the Internet is important for patient education, but it does not necessarily improve the quality of pharmacotherapeutics.

Question 3

Incorporating information technology (IT) into a patient encounter takes skill and tact. During the encounter, the provider can make the patient more comfortable with the IT the provider is using by:

Accepted Answer

By turning the screen around so the patient can see material being recorded, the provider is involving the patient in the encounter and allowing them to participate in their care. By not placing the computer screen between the provider and the patient, the provider is showing that they are focused on the patient and not just documenting information. Both of these actions can help to build trust and rapport with the patient, making them more comfortable with the use of IT during the encounter.

Question 4

EHRs:

Accepted Answer

The answer of EHRs:
...

Question 5

Information technology can also be used for patient teaching during the encounter and after it. The provider can help patients and their families become savvy consumers of health-care information by:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Information technology can also be used for...

Question 6

The advantage of using information technology for patient education includes:

Accepted Answer

Using information technology for patient education enables standardized and individualized patient education to be simultaneously recorded into the patient record, which can be accessed by healthcare providers as needed. This helps ensure consistency in patient education and reduces the possibility of errors or omissions. Option A is also an advantage, as it allows healthcare providers to track the number of times a patient has received the same instructions regarding medication, making it easier to identify areas where further education may be necessary. Option C, however, is not an advantage, as access to private patient information must be strictly managed and protected to ensure patient confidentiality. Option D could be an advantage, but it depends on the availability of accurate and reliable translations for the patient information.

Question 7

Decision support systems often provide medication alerts that tell the prescriber:

Accepted Answer

Medication alerts in decision support systems typically provide information on potential drug-to-drug interactions with other medications the patient is taking. This helps to avoid prescribing medications that could cause harmful interactions and optimize patient safety. Patient history data, usual dosage information, and laboratory values may also be included, but they are not necessarily the primary focus of medication alerts.

Question 8

You are going to prescribe a drug and the electronic health record (EHR) alerts you that there is a potential drug-drug interaction. The alert is generated by:

Accepted Answer

The electronic health record (EHR) clinical decision support system often contains a drug database with information on potential drug-drug interactions. This system is specifically designed to alert healthcare professionals to potential adverse drug events and to assist in clinical decision-making. The Food and Drug Administration MedWatch system is a voluntary reporting system for adverse events associated with medications or medical products. TOXNET is a toxicology data network that contains information on toxicology, hazardous chemicals, and environmental health. Lexicomp is a commercial medication alert system that provides drug information to healthcare professionals. While these systems can also contain information on potential drug interactions, they are not typically integrated into the EHR and alert healthcare professionals outside of the clinical workflow.

Question 9

Information technology (IT) can also be used to interact with a patient between encounters. Which of the following statements about such interactions is true?

Accepted Answer

Using IT to interact with patients between encounters can lead to a more efficient face-to-face encounter. This is because IT can be used to collect data and information from the patient before the encounter, allowing the provider to focus on addressing specific concerns during the appointment rather than spending valuable time collecting information that could have been collected remotely. Option A is incorrect as using IT to interact with patients does not necessarily mean the provider does not care. Option B is incorrect as the accuracy and completeness of data collected via IT can be improved through proper design and implementation. Option D may also be true but is not as directly related to the question as option C.

Question 10

Which of the following is a primary benefit of the use of computerized provider order entry for patient medications?

Accepted Answer

Computerized provider order entry has been shown to significantly decrease prescribing and transcription errors, which can improve patient safety and outcomes. While it may also reduce the time it takes to prescribe drugs, it does not eliminate the need to chart drugs prescribed, and it does not necessarily help keep the number of drugs prescribed to a minimum.

Question 11

Factors that facilitate keeping patient information confidential in an electronic health record (EHR) system include:

Accepted Answer

Designing software so that only those who need the information can gain access is the most effective measure for keeping patient information confidential in an EHR system. Requiring providers to log off at the end of the clinical day and keeping a file of login and password information may be helpful, but they are not foolproof methods. Having patients sign informed consent documents would not necessarily ensure confidentiality in the EHR system.

Question 12

One barrier to use of the Internet for both prescribing and for patient teaching is:

Accepted Answer

Web pages and hyperlinks may change, be deleted, or be replaced. This presents a challenge for healthcare providers who rely on accurate and up-to-date information when prescribing medications or providing patient education. They must constantly check and update their resources to ensure that the information they are providing is current and reliable.

Question 13

A number of barriers and concerns exist before the goals of a safe and efficient information technology (IT) system can be realized. Which of the following is NOT a barrier to adoption and use of IT in prescribing drugs?

Accepted Answer

Access to highly skilled experts is not a barrier to the adoption and use of IT in prescribing drugs. Instead, it's a requirement or resource needed to overcome barriers such as system compatibility, cost, and confidentiality concerns. The other options (cost of initial setup, compatibility between systems, and patient confidentiality risks) are all recognized barriers to the adoption of IT in healthcare settings.

Question 14

Prescribers have been shown to override a medication alert about a patient's allergies when:

Accepted Answer

Prescribers may override a medication alert if the patient had tolerated the medication in the past, if the benefit of the medication outweighs the risk, and if the medication is therapeutically appropriate and necessary for the patient's treatment. Therefore, all of the options mentioned in the question are valid reasons for overriding a medication alert.

Question 15

Being competent in the use of information technology in clinical practice is expected in professional nurses. Advanced practice competence includes the ability to:

Accepted Answer

While A, C, and D are all examples of information technology skills, they are not necessarily expected of advanced practice nurses. Being able to serve as content experts in the development, implementation, and evaluation of information systems, however, is a crucial aspect of advanced practice nursing and requires a high level of competence in information technology.

Question 16

Data in the electronic health record that the provider reviews prior to a patient encounter varies with the clinic setting. In an urgent care clinic, the provider should review:

Accepted Answer

It is recommended that providers in urgent care clinics review the patient's current diagnosis and history, drugs the patient is currently taking, and any recent previous encounter for the same problem as this visit and what was done. This ensures that the provider has a comprehensive understanding of the patient's current health status and can make informed decisions about their care.

Question 17

Discharge summaries using information technology have several advantages. They can:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discharge summaries using information technology have several...

Quiz 11: Information Technology and Pharmacotherapeutics