Editing for Correct Punctuation

Read the following sentences and decide if any are run-on sentences or sentence fragments. Create complete sentences by combining groups of words or by changing the punctuation, then key the corrected sentences. Remember that as a transcriptionist, you must remain as true as possible to the original dictation while correcting obvious errors.

  1. The patient's wife called 911 and the paramedics arrived some ten minutes later to find the patient in a semiconscious state with an irregular heart rhythm the exact nature of which is unknown.
  2. Strict sterile precautions must be taken. Using only autoclaved instruments and adequate skin preparation.
  3. Medications Lasix 20 mg per morning Mico-K 10 Eq twice per day Cardizem 30 mg per day Isordil 20 mg twice per day.
  4. The patient was extubated and noted to have purulent sputum and puru lent urine and blood and urine cultures were positive for Klebsiella pneumoniae therefore the patient was started on gentamicin.
  5. The patient was seen in routine followup. Six months since the last examination.
  6. After informed consent was obtained the patient was brought to the operating room where general anesthesia was established and the lower abdomen was prepared and draped in the usual sterile fashion and an incision made just below the umbilicus.
  7. The patient should apply the zinc oxide ointment directly to the lesions as often as needed to cool the burning sensation making sure she washes her hands before and after the application.
  8. The patient is a 17-year-old female. A known IV drug abuser. She presents today to the emergency department she has an infected area on her left arm. The area is red and tender.
  9. On examination the head shows no deformities the nose and throat are clear the neck has no adenopathy the chest is clear with normal breath sounds the abdomen is soft and nontender extremities are normal skin shows no rash or redness.
  10. This 25-year-old Hispanic male presented today with a 1-cm laceration of the right hand at the web space between the middle and ring fingers.

Check your answers.

Return to Student Corner Home Page.