A nurse is asked whether she is proficient in the use of nursing informatics. Which of the following indicates competency?

A nurse is asked whether she is proficient in the use of nursing informatics. Which of the following indicates competency?

• A. Accessing Holter monitor data
• B. Using a sphygmomanometer
• C. Evaluating a chest tube system
• D. Reading a urine dipstick

Answer: (C)

Using information systems to track and act on data from patient care equipment demonstrates informatics competency. Evaluating a chest tube system requires interpreting the device’s data—drainage amount, consistency, presence of air leaks, and suction function—and then documenting these findings in the electronic health record. This shows you can integrate device-generated information with clinical decision-making, monitor trends over time, and use the digital chart to guide interventions and ongoing care. The other tasks involve basic bedside skills or data access that don’t inherently demonstrate interacting with an information system to manage, interpret, and act on data.

Using information systems to track and act on data from patient care equipment demonstrates informatics competency. Evaluating a chest tube system requires interpreting the device’s data—drainage amount, consistency, presence of air leaks, and suction function—and then documenting these findings in the electronic health record. This shows you can integrate device-generated information with clinical decision-making, monitor trends over time, and use the digital chart to guide interventions and ongoing care. The other tasks involve basic bedside skills or data access that don’t inherently demonstrate interacting with an information system to manage, interpret, and act on data.