Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) Practice Exam

The term that accurately describes data elements collected on large populations of individuals and stored in databases is aggregate data. Aggregate data refers to information that is compiled from various individual data points, allowing for analysis and reporting on a larger scale rather than focusing on individual cases. This type of data is essential for identifying trends, patterns, and outcomes across populations, making it invaluable for public health research, policy-making, and resource allocation.

In contrast, sample data pertains to a subset of individuals from a larger population, which is used to infer characteristics of the total population but does not encompass the entire group. Individual data refers specifically to information related to a single person, such as their medical history or treatment details, and does not reflect trends across a larger population. Patient records are comprehensive documents containing detailed information on individual patients, again focusing on specific cases rather than aggregated information across many individuals. Thus, aggregate data is the most appropriate term for the context provided in the question.