3.8 (3)

Question 1

Use an em dash?

Answer 1

No. use 1 hyphen for en dash and 2 for em dash

Question 2

The pt is improving (despite her repeated insistence that she is dying), and we plan to discharge her next week.

Answer 2

comma goes inside the parenthesis - unlike if it were a quote

Question 3

put punctuation INSIDE the parenthesis…

Answer 3

only if it requires it: ex.
The regimen we started her on (atenolol, enalapril, and HCTZ) seems to be doing an adequate job.

Question 4

virgule aka

Answer 4

forward slash, diagonal, slant line, slash, or solidus

Question 5

use a virgule to express

Answer 5

equivalence:
Her treatment/diagnostic planning was discussed.
I had a discussion with his sister/caregiver about home intervention.

Question 6

Do not use a virgule

Answer 6

where “or” is implied
Each pt was given his/her results
You may take 5/6 pills per day as needed.

Question 7

Use a virgule to mean “per” only when:

Answer 7

1. at least 1 metric unit
2. a specific quantity is included

Question 8

Blood volume was 70 mL per kg of body weight

Answer 8

70 = specific quantity
mL = metric unit so,
Blood volume was 70 mL/kg of body weight.

Question 9

Hemoglobin levels are reported in g/dL.

Answer 9

Wrong. BC no specific quantity. so,
Hemoglobin levels are reported in grams per deciliter.

Question 10

English units of time:

Answer 10

minute min; second s; week w;
month mo; hour h; day d; year y

Question 11

IF you combine an English unit of time with a metric unit….

Answer 11

you may use a virgule

50 mm/h; 15 m/s
but not
His heart rate was 120 beats per minute
She weighs herself 3 days per week

Question 12

DO not use a virgule when you have two numeric values with…

Answer 12

different units of measure
The IV is to run at 15 mg/3h

A virgule implies a direct relationship

Question 13

WHen there is a prepositional phrase:

Answer 13

Do not use the virgule in place of “per”
SHe was given 2.5 mEq OF POTASSIUM per liter.
He was advised to take 81 mg OF ASPIRIN per day.

Question 14

Use a virgule in these relationships:

Answer 14

Blood pressure, grading tumors, Gleason scores

BP is elevated at 160/100
A grade 1/4 murmur is heard over the left sternal border.
Gleason 1 +2 = 3/10

(Meaning “over”)

Question 15

Over and out of… with an over and out of expression

Answer 15

spell out the expression to avoid being misread as a fraction
Strength in the extremity is 4 TO 4+ over 5… Note: not 4-4+ over five. Retain “to” and “over”

Question 16

Blood Pressure Ranges

Answer 16

use “to” or a hyphen, retain “over”
but do not combine in a virgule construction
BP was 100 to 120 over 70 to 80.
BP was 100-120 over 70-80.
or BP was 100-120 over 70-80 range.
but not:
BP was 100-120/70-80.

Question 17

Do not conflate virgules to mean a range instead of duality

Answer 17

D: “increase fiber to 25 slash 30 grams a day.”
T: “Increase fiver to 25-30 grams a day” 25/30 indicates a duality.”

Question 18

Do not use a virgule w/ fractions when:

Answer 18

they are expressed as words: use a hyphen
four-fifths, one-half
not one/half

Question 19

virgules are used in this eye test:

Answer 19

visual acuity:
20/200 should be corrected to 20/40

Question 20

Semicolons always fall

Answer 20

outside quotation marks, but it is better to use terminal punctuation.
The pt clearly stated “no allergies”; however, his medical record states…
THe pt clearly stated “no allergies.” However == better

Question 21

Do not use “ or ‘ to

Answer 21

express dimensions. SPell out English units in full:
The pt is 5 feet 10 inches tall