A monitor or graphics card that can display only one color is called _______.

Appeared in: NHM UP Staff Nurse-2023 Shift-2nd

Explanation

The key to this question is the word 'monochrome', which literally means 'one color' ('mono' for one, 'chrome' for color).
The Monochrome Display Adapter (MDA) was an early video card standard for IBM PCs that could only render text and simple graphics in a single foreground color against a black background.
Unlike color adapters, MDA was designed for business applications and provided a very sharp, high-resolution text display, which was considered easier on the eyes for long periods of reading.

Option A: Color Graphics Adapter (CGA) was, as its name implies, designed to display multiple colors. It was IBM's first color display standard.
Option B: Enhanced Graphics Adapter (EGA) was an improvement on CGA, offering a wider range of colors (16 from a palette of 64) and better resolution. It is a multi-color standard.
Option C: Extended Graphics Array (XGA) is a much more advanced and later standard than the others, supporting high resolutions and thousands or millions of colors. It is far from a single-color display.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Early PC Graphics Display Standards as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
While not a clinical topic, understanding basic computer terminology is essential for nurses in the modern healthcare environment.
Nurses regularly interact with technology, including Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems, patient monitors, and diagnostic equipment. A foundational knowledge of technology helps in troubleshooting minor issues and communicating effectively with IT support.
What if? - If a nurse is documenting on an older terminal in a remote clinic that suddenly only shows green text, understanding the concept of monochrome displays could help them describe the issue accurately to technical support (e.g., 'The display seems to be stuck in a monochrome mode').

How to Approach the Question

First, analyze the question's core requirement: identifying a technology that displays only 'one color'.
Look for keywords in the options. The term 'Monochrome' is a direct combination of 'mono' (meaning one) and 'chrome' (meaning color).
Contrast this with the other options. 'Color Graphics Adapter' (CGA), 'Enhanced Graphics Adapter' (EGA), and 'Extended Graphics Array' (XGA) all contain terms ('Color', 'Enhanced', 'Extended') that suggest capabilities beyond a single color.
By breaking down the terminology, you can deduce that 'Monochrome Display Adapter' is the most logical answer even without prior knowledge of these specific standards.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full NHM UP Staff Nurse-2023 Shift-2nd

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.