NURSING INFORMATICS LAB

ACTIVITY WORKSHEET
The Computer System

Laica A.Luneta

INTRODUCTION
Nurses need to be aware of the social and ethical impact of the use of computer technology .
Powerful, portable personal computers enable nurses to manage information at a clients
hospital bedside, in the client's home, and in various community settings. More and more,
computerized nursing information systems are being used to support nursing practice,
education and administration

Instruction:

I. Identify the following parts of the computer by writing your answers on the box
provided below.

1. Speaker 2. Monitor 3. Computer, tower, desktop

4.Disk/ CD drive 5. Printer 6.Mouse

7. USB ports 8. Keyboard 9. Modem/Router

10.

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 II. Illustrate and discuss how computer memory works ( 10 points)

As shown in the diagram above, the CPU accesses memory according to a

distinct hierarchy. Whether it comes from permanent storage (the hard drive) or
input (the keyboard), most data goes in random access memory (RAM) first. The
CPU then stores pieces of data it will need to access, often in a cache, and
maintains certain special instructions in the register. All of the components in the
computer, such as the CPU, the hard drive and the operating system, work
together as a team, and memory is one of the most essential parts of this team.

The computer is on, The computer loads data from read-only memory (ROM)
and performs a power-on self-test (POST) to make sure all the major
components are functioning properly. As part of this test, the memory controller
checks all of the memory addresses with a quick read/write operation to ensure
that there are no errors in the memory chips. Then, the computer loads the basic
input/output system (BIOS) from ROM. The BIOS provides the most basic
information about storage devices, boot sequence, security, Plug and Play (auto
device recognition) capability and a few other items. The computer loads the
operating system (OS) from the hard drive into the system's RAM. Generally, the
critical parts of the operating system are maintained in RAM as long as the
computer is on. This allows the CPU to have immediate access to the operating
system, which enhances the performance and functionality of the overall

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system.When an application is open, it is loaded into RAM. To conserve RAM
usage, many applications load only the essential parts of the program initially and
then load other pieces as needed.After an application is loaded, any files that are
opened for use in that application are loaded into RAM. Finally, when a file is
saved and close the application, the file is written to the specified storage
device, and then it and the application are purged from RAM.

Reference: https://computer.howstuffworks.com/computer-
memory1.htm#:~:text=Whether%20it%20comes%20from%20permanent,about
%20cache%20and%20registers%20later.

III. Discuss how computer can be applied to the following areas in nursing (20 pts)
a. Nursing practice

Use information & communication technology to document & evaluate patient care, advance patient
education, & enhance the accessibility of care

• Use appropriate technology to assess & monitor patients

• Work on an interdisciplinary team to make ethical decisions regarding the application of

technologies & the acquisition of data

Nursing Skills

• Adapt the use of technologies to meet patient needs

• Teach patients about health care technologies

• Protect the safety & privacy of patients in relation to the use of health care & information
technologies

• Use information technologies to enhance one’s own knowledge base

b. Nursing Education

In nursing education, computers are used in:

1.Teaching and learning

Computers enhance academic performance for both students and faculty through facilitating

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access to literature computer-assisted instruction classroom technologies distance learning.

New educational buildings are wired to accommodate technology. This includes electric outlets and
wireless technology for network or Internet access. • For nursing faculty, liquid crystal display (LCD)
panels allow computer screens to be displayed to the entire classroom.

2. Testing

This is the second use of computer in nursing education. • Surveys, including anonymous
questionnaires, can be completed online. • For testing, large banks of potential items can be written

Students’ answers can also be scored electronically and the exam results analysed quickly

and the computer can generate different exams for each student depending on the selection criteria.

3. Student and course record management

• Computers are useful for maintaining results of students’ grades or attendance.

• The computer programme can calculate percentages, sort student scores in order, and print results
for both students and faculty.

• Students are frequently asked to evaluate faculty and courses. These data are also scanned into
the computer so that cumulative results can be calculated and stored.

• Many schools have now all student records on computer. From application through graduation, the
registrar’s office keeps track of names, addresses, courses taken, grades, and all other important
data.

c. Nursing Administration

• Human Resources

Employers must maintain a database, for each employee

Data’s include demographic salary, life support certification, health requirement, performance
appraisal.

• Medical Records

Computerization of medical records is utilized for monthly demographic data analysis, hospital
mortality and morbidity rate , monthly and annual report , reference

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• Nursing station system

It is located in each ward for patient care management

• Personnel management

It includes Nursing audit Performance record Leave record Salary Promotion Career
development

d. Nursing Research

Use of Computers in Nursing Research

• Problem identification

• Literature Search

• Research design

• Data Collection and Analysis

• Research Dissemination