JBL EMT Practice Exam

After delivering your patient to the hospital, you sit down to complete the handwritten PCR. When documenting the patient's last blood pressure reading, you inadvertently write 120/60 instead of 130/70. To correct this mistake, you should:

1. cover the error with correction fluid and then write the patient's actual blood pressure over it

2. draw a single horizontal line through the error, initial it, and write the correct data next to it

3. erase the error, initial it, and then write the correct data on a separate addendum

4. leave the error on the PCR, but inform the staff of the patient's actual blood pressure

The correct answer is: draw a single horizontal line through the error, initial it, and write the correct data next to it

When documenting patient information, accuracy and clarity are crucial. In the scenario described, if a mistake is made, it is important to make a clear correction that maintains the integrity of the record. Option B, which suggests drawing a single horizontal line through the error, initialing it, and then writing the correct data next to it, is the correct choice because it is a widely accepted method in medical documentation for correcting errors. This method clearly indicates that an error was made, shows who made the correction, and provides the accurate information in a transparent manner. The other options are incorrect because they do not follow the best practices for correcting errors in medical documentation. Option A suggests using correction fluid, which can make the document appear altered and raise concerns about the accuracy of the information. Option C proposes erasing the error, which can make the document look tampered with and may raise doubts about the integrity of the record. Option D recommends leaving the error as is and informing the staff separately, which can lead to confusion and lack of clarity in the patient's medical history. Therefore, option B is the most appropriate choice for correcting the error in the handwritten PCR to ensure accurate and transparent documentation.