Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT) Practice Exam

What should be done if a patient provides incorrect information during the history-taking process?

1. Correct them immediately

2. Document without comment

3. Ask them to repeat their answer

4. Ignore the discrepancies

The correct answer is: Document without comment

When a patient provides incorrect information during the history-taking process, documenting the information without comment is crucial. This approach allows the healthcare provider to maintain an accurate and objective record of the patient's history, which is essential for making informed clinical decisions. It's important to capture what the patient states during the visit, as this reflects their understanding and perception of their health. Documenting without comments also avoids potential confrontation or embarrassment for the patient, which could impact their willingness to share accurate information in the future. Furthermore, this method preserves the integrity of the patient's narrative for further evaluation and ensures that any discrepancies can be addressed later in a non-confrontational manner. In contrast, other approaches such as correcting the patient immediately or asking them to repeat their answer can disrupt the flow of the visit and could lead to misunderstandings or a breakdown in patient-provider communication. Ignoring the discrepancies altogether could result in incomplete or inaccurate medical records that may negatively affect patient care.