Communication and Documentation Related

Review Communication and Documentation related questions and content

The nursing student is listening to a lecture on correcting errors in a written narrative on a medical record. Which statement by the nursing student indicates that the teaching has been effective?

  • A. The correct procedure is to document the correction as a late entry.'
  • B. The correct procedure is to draw a line through the error to identify it.'
  • C. The correct procedure is to remove the error in a manner approved by the facility.'
  • D. The correct procedure is to cover the error completely using a permanent marker.'
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: If the nurse makes a narrative documentation error in the client's record, the agency's policy should be followed to correct the error. Agency policy usually includes drawing one line through the error, initialing and dating the line, and then providing the correct information. The nurse uses a late entry to document additional information that was not documented at the time that it occurred. The nurse avoids attempting to remove the error by any means because these actions raise the suspicion of wrongdoing.