The following descriptors about the data element PATIENT_LAST_NAME are included in a data dictionary. Which of the following is true about the definition of this data element?

The definition of the data element PATIENT_LAST_NAME includes a descriptor for the field type, which determines the kind of data that can be stored. By specifying the field type as Character, it indicates that the last name of a patient is composed of alphabetical characters. This is appropriate because patient last names typically consist of letters, and changing the field type to Character ensures that only valid entries for names are accepted.

Selecting Character as the appropriate field type aligns with data integrity and ensures that the database accurately captures the last names without allowing invalid formats, such as numbers or symbols, which would not be suitable for this type of data. In this context, ensuring the field type is correct is crucial for data validation and consistency across health information systems.

The other choices focus on aspects that do not pertain to the correctness of the data type itself. For example, changing the input mask or modifying field lengths relates to how the data is entered and stored but does not change the type of data being captured. Additionally, while having a default value may be useful in some cases, it is not necessary for capturing a last name accurately.