The nurse working in a cardiac center is preparing to enter patient data using health information technology. Which type of record should the nurse use?

The most appropriate type of record for the nurse to use in a cardiac center is the electronic health record (EHR). EHRs are comprehensive, digital versions of patients' paper charts and include a wide range of health information that can be shared across different healthcare settings. They typically cover a patient's entire medical history, including medications, allergies, lab results, and treatment plans.

EHRs are designed to facilitate the exchange of information between various healthcare providers, ensuring coordinated care. In a specialized setting like a cardiac center, having access to an EHR allows the nurse to quickly update patient records, retrieve previous medical histories, and collaborate with other healthcare professionals effectively.

While electronic medical records (EMRs) are similar to EHRs, they tend to focus on the clinical data generated within a single practice or care setting, lacking the broader scope of information that EHRs provide. Personal health records (PHRs) are maintained by patients and used for personal health management, which is distinct from the healthcare provider's perspective. Regional Health Information Organizations (RHIOs) are involved in sharing medical information across different organizations rather than being a direct tool used by individual healthcare providers. Therefore, in this context, the electronic health record (EHR) is