Certified Healthcare Technology Specialist (CHTS) Process Workflow & Information Management Redesign Practice Exam

Which of the following is not one of Nielson's usability heuristics?

1. Use bright colors to be aesthetically pleasing

2. Match between system and real world

3. Consistency and standards

4. User control and freedom

The correct answer is: Use bright colors to be aesthetically pleasing

The identified choice is not one of Nielson's usability heuristics because it emphasizes aesthetic aspects, such as the use of bright colors, without addressing the core usability principles. Nielson's heuristics focus primarily on how systems should function to enhance user experience, improve efficiency, and reduce errors in interactions. The heuristics that are included in Nielson's framework—such as matching the system and the real world, ensuring consistency and standards, as well as providing user control and freedom—are grounded in enhancing usability by making interfaces intuitive, familiar, and supportive of user tasks. For instance, matching between the system and the real world ensures that terminology and concepts used in the interface align with user expectations, making it easier to understand and navigate. Similarly, consistency and standards help users predict how elements on the screen will behave, fostering a more intuitive experience. User control and freedom guarantee that users feel empowered to explore and undo actions, which is essential for a positive interaction with the system. Aesthetic considerations can enhance usability but do not form the foundation of Nielson's core principles, as the focus is on practical usability rather than on visual appeal alone.