MT Grammar, Punctuation & Editing Standards 2

Question 1

Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon in a medical report?

Accepted Answer

The patient was discharged; she was instructed to follow up in two weeks.

Answer

A semicolon joins two independent clauses; 'she was instructed to follow up in two weeks' is a complete independent clause.

Question 2

In medical transcription, when should a colon be used after a heading such as 'DIAGNOSIS'?

Accepted Answer

Always, to introduce the content that follows

Answer

In medical reports, a colon follows section headings like DIAGNOSIS or PLAN to introduce the information that follows.

Question 3

A dictated sentence reads: 'The patient denies fever chills nausea or vomiting.' How should commas be applied?

Accepted Answer

The patient denies fever, chills, nausea, or vomiting.

Answer

Serial (Oxford) commas are standard in medical transcription for clarity when listing three or more items.

Question 4

Which of the following correctly handles a possessive form in a medical term?

Accepted Answer

Parkinson disease

Answer

Current AAMT/BOS style omits the possessive apostrophe from eponymic disease names, making 'Parkinson disease' the preferred form.

Question 5

The dictator says 'well-developed, well-nourished male.' When transcribed in a physical exam note, how should this appear?

Accepted Answer

Well-developed, well-nourished male.

Answer

Compound modifiers before a noun are hyphenated, and a comma separates the two modifier pairs in standard medical transcription style.

(MT) Certified Medical Transcription Practice Test