Certified Clinical Medical Assistant CCMA Practice Test

When completing documentation in a patient's paper medical record, an MA realizes she made an error. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?

1. Erase the error and rewrite it

2. Ignore the error

3. Cut out the erroneous part

4. Draw a line through the error and initial it

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

When completing documentation in a patient's paper medical record, it is crucial to maintain accuracy and integrity. If an error is made, the best course of action is to draw a line through the error and initial it. This method indicates that an error was made, provides a clear indication of what was incorrect, and ensures that the original information can still be read. Options A, B, and C are not appropriate actions to take when an error is made in documentation. Erasing the error and rewriting it can lead to questions about the authenticity of the record. Ignoring the error could result in serious consequences if the inaccurate information is relied upon for patient care. Cutting out the erroneous part can alter the integrity of the medical record and may be seen as an attempt to hide information. Drawing a line through the error and initialing it is the most appropriate way to correct mistakes in medical documentation.