Database Management Flashcards

What does the acronym CRUD stand for in the context of database operations?

Answer: Create, Read, Update, Delete

CRUD represents the four basic database operations: Create, Read, Update, and Delete, which cover all fundamental data manipulation tasks.

A health information manager wants to prevent unauthorized access to specific columns in the patient database. Which database feature should be implemented?

Answer: Views

Database views can expose only selected columns to specific users, effectively restricting access to sensitive fields like SSN or financial data.

Which of the following best describes an index in a healthcare database?

Answer: A data structure that speeds up data retrieval

An index is a data structure that allows the database engine to locate rows quickly without scanning every record in a table.

In healthcare data management, what is a master patient index (MPI)?

Answer: A database that uniquely identifies each patient across a healthcare system

The MPI is a central database that maintains a unique identifier for each patient to prevent duplicate records across the enterprise.

When a transaction in a hospital billing database is interrupted mid-process, which database property ensures the data is returned to its previous state?

Answer: Atomicity

Atomicity guarantees that a transaction is treated as a single unit — either all operations complete or none are applied.

A coding supervisor exports patient encounter data to analyze payer mix. Which database operation is being performed?

Answer: Data extraction

Data extraction pulls specific records from the database for analysis, reporting, or transfer to another system.

In database terminology, what is a 'null' value?

Answer: The absence of any value in a field

NULL represents the complete absence of a value in a field, which is distinct from zero or an empty string.