On the Control Bar, there are four text boxes that let you enter X, Y, H and W values for the selected object.

For some reason, when I change one of the values, other values automatically change as well. For instance, I have a rectangle 2x56 pixel rectangle that I would like located at (296,177). The rectangle is located at (295.902, 177.102) and the current dimensions are [1.997, 56.003]. So I change W from 1.997 to 2.0. When I do type "2.0" in the W box, the values get update to(295.903,177.101) [1.998, 56.005].

Is there any way I can stop this from happening? What I would like to happen is when I change a dimension or coordinate, I would like the actual value I type to be used, and I would rather none of the other values change.

I have looked for a setting in the File::Inkscape Preferences form, but none of them seem to apply.

Just an advice to use bigger dimensions if you can, like, multiply all values by 100.
Usually there is about 0,005 inaccuracy with booleans, thus 2 pixels can be too small.

On the problem: you can lock the with and height ratio. If it's locked, they should change together.
So unlock it.
For the position values changing, you might have an outline set?
If you use outlines, unclick the "scale outlines with the objects" icon.
If you don't have outlines, that problem might be solved.

Welcome to InkscapeForum!

There are a couple of options to consider, but this behavior can definitely be avoided.

First, does the rectangle have a stroke? By default, the stroke width is scaled proportionately along with the rest of the object. Since the stroke width is calculated as part of the object's size, a change in any dimension will force the stroke width to change. And when the stroke width changes, the x,y position of the object changes. (very slightly) With the Selection tool engaged, look to the right end of the control bar, where the last 4 buttons are titled Affect. Disengage the first one, whose tool tip says "When scaling objects, scale the stroke width by the same proportion".

Also by default, Inkscape uses the Visual bounding box. The bb is the dotted line which indicates an object's selection. In the case of the visual bb, it means that the stroke width is included the object's dimension values. This option doesn't really figure into your problem with the dimension values changing. But for some reason, you may want to consider using the other choice, Geometric bounding box, which does not include the stroke width. So for example, if you want to continue having the stroke width scaled along with the rest of the object, you could use the geometric bb, so that the dimension values exclude the stroke in the first place.