Nursing Informatics: Computer Hardware Basics

Study Notes

What is a Computer?

A special machine that performs tasks such as calculations, data processing and handling, and electronic communication
Operates under the control of a set of instructions called a program

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

A microprocessor chip containing millions of tiny microscopically wired electrical components
Retrieves and processes information from input devices or computer memory via the bus

Registers

Temporary storage locations within the CPU
Hold instructions or data temporarily
Known as the CPU's "tiny scratchpad"

Program Counter

A special register that keeps track of which program instruction comes next
Maintains the memory location of the next program instruction to be executed
Changes (usually increasing) to contain the location of the instruction that will be executed next

Control Unit

Coordinates and times the CPU's functions
Uses the program counter to locate and retrieve the next instruction from memory

Instruction Cycle

Sequence of steps:
- Retrieve instruction from memory
- Decode instruction
- Retrieve required data
- Execute instruction
- Store results
Can have multiple instructions in process simultaneously (pipeline processing)

Description

This lesson covers the fundamental aspects of computer hardware in the context of nursing informatics. Students will learn about the main functions of a computer, types of computers, basic terminologies, main components, key hardware components, types of computer use, and databases.