1. What is the difference between data, information and knowledge in the context of informatics? Provide an example of each. - Data are raw facts or figures that have no meaning by themselves, such as numbers, symbols or words. Information is data that has been processed, organized or interpreted to make sense or convey meaning, such as a report, a graph or a diagnosis. Knowledge is information that has been integrated, analyzed or applied to a specific situation or problem, such as a guideline, a recommendation or a decision. For example, the blood pressure readings of a patient are data, the average blood pressure of the patient over a period of time is information, and the appropriate medication dosage for the patient based on the blood pressure is knowledge. 2. What are some benefits and challenges of using electronic health records (EHRs) in nursing practice? Name at least three of each. - Some benefits of using EHRs are: improved quality and safety of care, enhanced communication and collaboration among health care providers, increased efficiency and productivity, reduced errors and costs, and better access to data and information for research and education. Some challenges of using EHRs are: privacy and security issues, technical problems and system failures, lack of interoperability and standardization, increased workload and documentation burden, ethical and legal dilemmas, and need for training and education. 3. What are some examples of clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) that can assist nurses in providing evidence-based care? How do they work? - CDSSs are computerized tools that provide relevant and timely information, advice or feedback to nurses at the point of care to help them make informed decisions. They can be integrated with EHRs or other information systems, or accessed through mobile devices or web browsers. Some examples of CDSSs are: alerts and reminders, order sets and protocols, diagnostic and treatment suggestions, drug interaction and allergy checks, clinical guidelines and pathways, calculators and risk assessment tools, and patient education materials. They work by applying rules, algorithms or models to the data and information from the patient's record, the nurse's input, or other sources, and generating output that can be displayed, printed or stored. 4. What are some applications of telehealth in nursing practice? How can they improve access to care and health outcomes? - Telehealth is the use of information and communication technologies to deliver health care services or education over distance. Some applications of telehealth in nursing practice are: teleconsultation, telemonitoring, teleducation, teletriage, telecounseling, telenursing, and telehomecare. They can improve access to care and health outcomes by: expanding the reach and availability of health care providers, reducing travel time and costs for patients and providers, enhancing patient engagement and selfmanagement, facilitating early detection and intervention, improving continuity and coordination of care,