Veterinary Technician Practice Exam

What is the proper method for correcting an error made on a medical record?

1. Erase the mistake

2. Draw a double line through it

3. Draw a single line through it and initial the correction

4. Ask another person to sign off the correction

The correct answer is: Draw a single line through it and initial the correction

The proper method for correcting an error in a medical record is to draw a single line through the mistake and initial the correction. This approach maintains the integrity of the medical record by clearly indicating the original entry while providing a transparent method to show the correction. Initialing verifies that the amendment was made by the person responsible for the record, which is essential for accountability and traceability. Maintaining an accurate medical record is critical for ongoing patient care, and this method ensures that no information is obscured, allowing for a complete history. This practice aligns with the ethical and legal standards governing medical documentation in veterinary medicine, which emphasize accuracy and clarity. Erasing the mistake would create ambiguity and could lead to misunderstandings, while drawing a double line might not clearly indicate which part of the record is relevant. Asking another person to sign off the correction does not maintain the appropriate chain of accountability and could result in confusion about who made the original entry. Thus, the method of drawing a single line through the mistake and initialing it is the most effective and recognized practice for amending medical records.