Chapter 2: Theoretical Foundations of Health Informatics

Chapter 2: Theoretical Foundations of Health Informatics

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. What is the primary difference between an open and closed system?

ANS:  B

With an open system the boundary is semipermeable, thereby controlling what will be accepted as input and what will be permitted to leave the system.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Understand            REF:   p. 20

2. The primary characteristics used to analyze an open system include:

ANS:  A

Using these three characteristics, one can determine why the system exists, what functions it performs to achieve its purpose, and how it is structured to achieve its purpose.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Analyze                REF:   p. 20

3. A change made to any aspect of an open system, whether it is a health care system or a computer system, will produce change in other aspects of that same system. As a result, any change can produce unintended consequences. This process is called:

ANS:  D

Change within any part of the system will be reflected across the total system through a process termed reverberation. Reverberation is reflected in the intended and unintended consequences of system change.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Remember            REF:   p. 23

4. Chaotic systems are in a constant state of change. This degree or scope of change that can occur has been described as the butterfly effect. The butterfly effect refers to:

ANS:  A

Chaotic systems are dynamic systems with reiterative feedback loops. A minor change in input can create a major change in output. This is often described as the butterfly effect. A butterfly’s flapping wings in California can over time become a hurricane in New York.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Analyze                REF:   p. 24