NURSING INFORMATICS
CHAPTER 5
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COMPUTER SCIENCE AND THE
FOUNDATION OF KNOWLEDGE
CHAPTER OBJECTIVES
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 Describe the essential components of computer
systems including hardware and software.
 Appreciate the rapid evolution of computer
systems and the benefit of keeping up to date with
current trends and developments.
 Analyze how computer systems function as tools
for managing information and generating
knowledge.
 Articulate how computers can support
collaboration and information exchange.
CHAPTER INTRODUCTION
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 The discipline of computer science is introduced
through a focus on computers and the hardware
and software that make up these evolving
systems.
 Computer science offers extremely valuable tools
that can facilitate the acquisition and manipulation
of data and information by nurses, who can then
synthesize these into an ever evolving knowledge
and wisdom base.
THE COMPUTER AS A TOOL
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 Computers was first appeared in the mid 1940s.
 Computers has introduced us to the Information
Age
 Computer technology has ushered in what has
been called the “information age”
 An age when data, information and knowledge are
both accessible and usable by more people than
ever before in history
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 A computer is an electronic information-processing
machine that serves as a tool to manipulate data
and information.
 Computers are universal machines, since they are
general-purpose, symbol-manipulating devices
that can perform any task represented in specific
programs.
 Computers can be used for data and information
storage, retrieval, analysis, generation and
transformation
COMPONENTS OF COMPUTERS
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Hardware
 The actual physical “body” of the computer and its
components
Outer Protection
 The Casing: The most noticeable component of
any computer is the outer case.
 Laptop computers combine the casing in a flat
rectangular casing that is attached to the hinged
LCD monitor.
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Central Processing Unit (CPU)
 Called the “brain” of the computer. It is the
computer component that actually executes,
calculates, and processes the data and information
as 0s and 1s configurations using specific
mechanical units such as arithmetic and logic units
 The inner components is the central processor.
 The speed and power of a CPU is measured in
Megahertz Gigahertz
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 In recent years, processor manufacturers such as
Intel have moved to multi-core microprocessors
which are chips that combine two or more
processors.
 Multiple microprocessors have replaced many
formerly popular computer types.
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Motherboard
 The mother board has been called the “central
nervous system” of the computer.
 The essential structures of the motherboard
include the major chipset, and the ROM (Read
Only Memory)
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Hard Disk
 Is the rigid hard disks in the computer
 The hard disk acts as a permanent data storage
area that holds the data, information, documents,
and programs saved on the computer, even when
the computer is shut off.
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Main Memory (RAM)
 RAM is the temporary storage system that allows
the processor to access program codes and data
while working on a task.
 RAM memory is lost once the system is rebooted,
shut off, or loses power.
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ROM
 Read-only memory or ROM is essential permanent
or semi-permanent non-volatile memory that
stores saved data and is critical in the working of
the computer's operating system and other
activities.
Virtual Memory
 This special type of memory is stored on the hard
disk to provide temporary data storage so data can
be swapped in and out of the RAM as needed.
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Software:
 Software are the application programs developed
to facilitate various user functions.
 User friendliness is a critical condition for effective
software adoption.
 User goals: operating systems should be
convenient to use, easy to learn, reliable, safe and
fast.
 System goals: operating systems should be easy
to design, implement, and maintain, as well as
flexible, reliable, error-free and efficient.
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Modem
 The modem is a component that can either be
situated externally (external modem) or internally
(internal modem) and enables internet connectivity
via a telephone line or cable connection through
network adaptors situated within the computer
apparatus.
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Universal Serial Bus (USB)
 Connects to a large number of plug-in devices,
such as portable Flash drives, digital cameras,
Mp3 players, graphics tablets, light pens, using a
Plug and Play connection (the ability to add
devices automatically).
Graphic Card
 Most computers come equipped with a graphics
accelerator card slotted in the microprocessor of a
computer to process image data and output it to
the monitor.
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Video Adapter Cards :
 This component provides video memory, a video
processor, and a digital-to-analog converter that
works with the CPU to output higher quality video
images to the monitor.
Sound Card :
 The sound card converts digital data into an
analog signal that is then outputted to the
computer's speakers or headphones.
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Other components: such as:
1. DVD/CD Drive
2. Floppy drive
3. Flash Drive
4. Connection Ports
5. Keyboard
6. Mouse
7. Monitor
8. Printer
9. Speakers
Relationship of Computer Science to
Knowledge
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 Scholars and researchers are just beginning to
understand the effect that computer systems,
architecture, applications, and processes have on
the potential for knowledge acquisition and
development.
 The development of an understanding of computer
science principles as they apply to technology
used in nursing can facilitate optimal usage of the
technology for knowledge development in the
profession.
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