The registered nurse (RN) has made an error in documenting an assessment finding on a client in the client's record and obtains the record to correct the error. The RN corrects the error by:

Question

1. Documenting a late entry into the client's record
2. Trying to erase the error to make space for writing in the correct data
3. Using white correction fluid to delete the error and writing in the correct data
4. Drawing one line through the error, initialing and dating the line, and then providing the correct information

Answer 1

4

Rationale: If the nurse makes an error in documenting in the client's record, the nurse should follow agency policies to correct the error. This includes drawing one line through the error, ini-tialing and dating the line, and then providing the correct information. Erasing data from the cli-ent's record and using white correction fluid are prohibited. A late entry is used to document ad-ditional information not remembered at the initial time of documentation. Procedures for cor-recting an error via the use of electronic documentation may be different and the nurse should follow agency guidelines.