Administrative & LegalQuestion 88 of 100
A medical assistant realizes a vital sign was charted in the wrong patient's paper record. How should the error be corrected?
a.Draw a single line through the entry so it remains readable, write the correction, and add the date and initials
b.Use correction fluid to cover the entry completely
c.Erase the entry and rewrite it as if nothing happened
d.Tear out the page and start a fresh one
Explanation
Correcting a paper record requires a single line through the error so the original remains legible, the correct information written nearby, and the date plus initials of the person making the change. Correction fluid, erasing, and removing pages destroy the original entry and can be seen as tampering. The medical record is a legal document, so its history must remain visible.
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