It is an output device that processes and stores the entire page before printing and is also called a page printer.

Appeared in: NHM UP Staff Nurse-2023 shift 1st

Explanation

A laser printer is a non-impact printer that works by creating an electrostatic image of the entire page on a charged drum.
It is called a 'page printer' because it uses a processor and memory (RAM) to compose the full page before transferring the image to paper with toner.
This method allows for very fast printing speeds and high-quality text and graphics, making it ideal for office and clinical environments.

Option A: A Daisy wheel printer is an impact 'character printer', meaning it prints one character at a time by striking a wheel shaped like a daisy against an ink ribbon. It does not store the whole page.
Option B: A Dot matrix printer is also an impact 'character printer'. It forms characters by striking a matrix of small pins against an ink ribbon. It prints character by character or line by line, not a full page at once.
Option D: A Drum printer is a 'line printer'. It prints an entire line of text at a time by rotating a drum with all characters embossed on it. It does not process and store a full page before printing.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Types of printers and their printing mechanisms as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
In a hospital setting, understanding printer types is important for managing documentation. Laser printers are essential for printing high-quality, single-sheet documents like patient records, discharge summaries, and lab reports.
Dot-matrix printers, though less common now, are still used in some clinical areas for printing on multi-part forms (e.g., triplicate lab requests or billing statements) because they are impact printers that can create carbon copies.
What if? If a nurse needed to print a multi-part prescription form that requires a carbon copy for the pharmacy and for records, a laser printer would not work. An impact printer, like a dot-matrix printer, would be required for this task.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key phrases in the question stem: 'processes and stores the entire page' and 'called a page printer'.
These phrases provide the definition of a specific printer category.
Next, classify each option based on its printing mechanism: character printer, line printer, or page printer.
A Daisy wheel printer is a character printer.
A Dot matrix printer is a character printer.
A Laser printer is a page printer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Q3VqDVSMIelibyw8EXIGy-

Practise the full NHM UP Staff Nurse-2023 shift 1st

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