AP Computer Science Principles MCQs
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Practice Settings
AP Computer Science Principles practice questions by unit
Fiveable has 12,904 AP Computer Science Principles multiple-choice practice questions across 5 units, plus 15 stimulus-based question sets built around a source. Practice one unit or topic at a time.
- Unit 1 – Creative Development: 2,162 multiple-choice questions
- Unit 2 – Data: 1,764 multiple-choice questions
- Unit 3 – Algorithms and Programming: 5,842 multiple-choice questions
- Unit 4 – Computer Systems & Networks: 1,315 multiple-choice questions
- Unit 5 – Impact of Computing: 1,821 multiple-choice questions, 15 stimulus sets
Sample AP Computer Science Principles practice question
A hospital network uses a software system to manage patient medical records. The system was recently upgraded.
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In the original system, patient records were maintained on paper charts stored in filing cabinets at each hospital location. Doctors wrote notes by hand, and records were transported physically between departments. Patients requesting copies of their records submitted a written form and waited up to two weeks.
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The upgraded system stores all patient information electronically, including diagnoses, prescribed medications, lab results, imaging scans, insurance information, and emergency contact details. Any authorized healthcare provider within the hospital network can access a patient's complete record from any location.
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The upgraded system (but not the original system) also records which healthcare providers accessed each patient's record, the time of access, and what information was viewed or modified.
Which of the following is the MOST likely data privacy concern introduced by the upgraded system's design?
Authorized staff might view sensitive records of patients they are not actively treating.
The centralized database prevents patients from obtaining physical copies of their own records.
The system automatically shares patient diagnoses with unauthorized external insurance companies.
Healthcare providers are unable to modify patient records once they are initially entered.
Explanation
Evaluating the legal and ethical implications of the system requires analyzing its access controls. The passage states that "any authorized healthcare provider... can access a patient's complete record from any location." This violates the principle of least privilege. Even though the system logs access, the architectural decision to allow universal access across the network creates a severe privacy risk, as curious or malicious staff can access records of neighbors, celebrities, or colleagues without a medical need.