1. Brenda J. Hurley, CMT, FAAMT Director of Industry Relations
Style Matters! Adventures in the 2nd edition of the AAMT Book of Style.
Brenda J. Hurley, CMT, FAAMT
Director of Industry Relations

2. Select the preferred abbreviated form for culture and sensitivity.
Select the preferred abbreviated form for culture and sensitivity.
C & S C&S C.&S. C.S. 2

3. Select the preferred abbreviated form for culture and sensitivity.
Select the preferred abbreviated form for culture and sensitivity.
C & S C&S C.&S. C.S.
ANSWER: C&S
Page 23 2

4. The following sentence is correctly punctuated.
The patient states that she is "hot." 3

5. The following sentence is correctly punctuated.
The patient states that she is "hot."
ANSWER: True
Page 346 3

6. How would you transcribe the following?
"Mild pancytopenia, etiology question mark"
a.     Mild pancytopenia, etiology question mark.
b.     Mild pancytopenia, etiology?
c.     Mild pancytopenia, etiology.
d.     Mild pancytopenia, etiology?. 4

7. How would you transcribe the following?
"Mild pancytopenia, etiology question mark"
 a.     Mild pancytopenia, etiology question mark.
b.     Mild pancytopenia, etiology?
c.     Mild pancytopenia, etiology.
d.     Mild pancytopenia, etiology?.
ANSWER: b.
Page 343. 4

8. The following sentence represents correct style.
He had Hemoccult-negative stools. 5

9. The following sentence represents correct style.
He had Hemoccult-negative stools.
ANSWER: True
Page 201. 5

10. What is the abbreviation for the right eye?6

11. What is the abbreviation for the right eye?
ANSWER: OD
Page 291. 6

12. Select the correct style for the following:
4 year 3 month old boy
4-year, 3-month-old boy
4-year-3-month old boy
4-year 3-month-old boy 7

13. Select the correct style for the following:
4 year 3 month old boy
4-year, 3-month-old boy
4-year-3-month old boy
4-year 3-month-old boy
ANSWER: 4-year 3-month-old boy
Page 17.  7

14. Select the correct style for the following:
4 x 4s 4 x 4's
4x4s 4x4's 8

15. Select the correct style for the following:
4 x 4s 4 x 4's
4x4s 4x4's
ANSWER: 4 x 4’s
Page 283. 8

16. Which is the preferred way to transcribe the following:
subQ subcu
subq SQ 9

17. Which is the preferred way to transcribe the following: subQ subcu
subQ subcu
subq SQ
ANSWER: subcu
Page 375. 9

18. Select the preferred style for the following sentence.
Urinalysis showed (WBCs or wbc's)
on microscopic examination. 10

19. Select the preferred style for the following sentence.
Urinalysis showed (WBCs or wbc's)
on microscopic examination.
ANSWER: Either one!
Page 39. 10

20. Other than with drug terminology,
when is it appropriate to abbreviate English units of time? 11

21. Other than with drug terminology, when
Other than with drug terminology, when is it appropriate to abbreviate English units of time?
ANSWER: With virgule construction, such as 2 L/min
Page 390. 11

22. The patient had a previous __________ section. Cesarean cesarean
Cesarean
cesarean
Caesarean 12

23. ANSWER: cesarean The patient had a previous __________ section.
Cesarean
cesarean
Caesarean
ANSWER: cesarean
Page: 290. 12

24. A total of 50 _______ was injected. mg mg's mgs
mg mg's mgs 13

25. A total of 50 _______ was injected. mg mg's mgs ANSWER: mg Page 252.
mg mg's mgs
ANSWER: mg
Page 252. 13

26. A (plain) or (plane) film of the abdomen was obtained.14

27. A (plain) or (plane) film of the abdomen was obtained.
ANSWER: plain
Page 317. 14

28. diabetes mellitus, type 2 diabetes mellitus, type II15

29. diabetes mellitus, type 2 diabetes mellitus, type II
ANSWER: diabetes mellitus, type 2
Page 130 15

30. The abbreviation a.c. means after meals.16

31. The abbreviation a.c. means after meals.
ANSWER: False.
Page 146. 16

32. The following is correct style: gravida 3, para 2, abortus 1
The following is correct style:
gravida 3, para 2, abortus 1 17

33. The following is correct style: gravida 3, para 2, abortus 1
The following is correct style:
gravida 3, para 2, abortus 1
ANSWER: True. (G3, P2, A1)
Page 290. 17

34. PRINCIPAL DIAGNOSIS: or
PRINCIPLE DIAGNOSIS: 18

35. ANSWER: PRINCIPAL DIAGNOSIS Page 507.or
PRINCIPLE DIAGNOSIS:
ANSWER: PRINCIPAL DIAGNOSIS
Page 507. 18

36. The patient will return in one ________ time? a. days b. days'
a. days
b. days'
c. day's
d. day 19

37. The patient will return in one ________ time? a. days b. days'
a. days
b. days'
c. day's
d. day
ANSWER: c. day’s
Page 392. 19

38. The patient will return in two ________ time? a. days b. days'
a. days
b. days'
c. day's
d. day 20

39. The patient will return in two ________ time? a. days b. days'
a. days
b. days'
c. day's
d. day
ANSWER: b. days’
Page 392. 20

40. Which is preferred?
Cranial nerves 2-12
Cranial nerves II-XII 21

41. Which is preferred? Cranial nerves 2-12 Cranial nerves II-XII
Cranial nerves 2-12
Cranial nerves II-XII
ANSWER: Both are correct, be consistent.
Page 112. 21

42. In the following sentence, would you capitalize the word radiology?
The report from radiology was reviewed. 22

43. In the following sentence, would you capitalize the word radiology?
The report from radiology was reviewed.
ANSWER: Yes.
Page 47. 22

44. In the following sentence, would you capitalize recovery room?
The patient was transferred to the
recovery room. 23

45. In the following sentence, would you capitalize recovery room?
The patient was transferred to the
recovery room.
ANSWER: No.
Page 57. 23

46. Would you capitalize the word "gram" in the following example?
3+ gram-positive cocci 24

47. Would you capitalize the word "gram" in the following example?
3+ gram-positive cocci
ANSWER: No.
Page 195. 24

48. When "bilateral mastectomy" is dictated,
would it be correct to transcribe bilateral mastectomies? 25

49. When "bilateral mastectomy" is dictated,
would it be correct to transcribe bilateral mastectomies?
ANSWER: Yes.
Page 38. 25

50. Which of the following best describes adduction?
a. Moving toward the midline of the body.
b. Moving away from the midline of the body.
c. Rotating any part of the body. 26

51. Which of the following best describes adduction?
a. Moving toward the midline of the body.
b. Moving away from the midline of the body.
c. Rotating any part of the body.
ANSWER: a. Moving toward the midline of
the body.
Page 489. 26

52. Which sentence shows the correct use of style?
The lesion was > 3 cm in diameter.
The lesion was greater than 3 cm in diameter. 27

53. Which sentence shows the correct use of style?
The lesion was > 3 cm in diameter.
The lesion was greater than 3 cm in diameter.
ANSWER: The lesion was greater than 3 cm
in diameter.
Page 197. 27

54. Is the term adnexa singular when
only one side (right or left) is being referenced? 28

55. Is the term adnexa singular when
only one side (right or left) is being referenced?
ANSWER: No.
Page 13. 28

56. Select the correct choice for each of the following sentences.
The patient will (follow up, followup) next week.
The (follow up, followup) x-ray was negative.
The patient was seen today in (follow up, followup). 29

57. Select the correct choice for each of the following sentences.
The patient will (follow up, followup) next week.
The (follow up, followup) x-ray was negative.
The patient was seen today in (follow up, followup).
ANSWERS:
The patient will follow up next week.
The followup x-ray was negative.
The patient was seen today in followup.
Page 172. 29

58. Is the following sentence punctuated correctly?
The patient will continue with his
usual dose of 1 p.o.. 30

59. Is the following sentence punctuated correctly?
The patient will continue with his
usual dose of 1 p.o..
ANSWER: No.
Page 311. 30

60. The intervertebral (disk or disc)
was not damaged. 31

61. ANSWER: disk Page 140. was not damaged.
The intervertebral (disk or disc)
was not damaged.
ANSWER: disk
Page 140. 31

62. How would you transcribe the following phrase?
"changes were seen in leads 2, 3, and f" 32

63. How would you transcribe the following phrase?
"changes were seen in leads 2, 3, and f"
ANSWER: changes were seen in leads II, III, and aVF
Page 57. 32

64. 30-pack-year history of smoking 30-pack year history of smoking
Which is correct?
30-pack-year history of smoking
30-pack year history of smoking
30-pack-year-history of smoking 33

65. ANSWER: 30-pack-year history of smoking
Which is correct?
30-pack-year history of smoking
30-pack year history of smoking
30-pack-year-history of smoking
ANSWER: 30-pack-year history of smoking
Page 303. 33

66. If the doctor dictates one point two million,
how would you transcribe it? 34

67. If the doctor dictates one point two million,
how would you transcribe it?
ANSWER: 1.2 million
Page 283. 34

68. If crepitance was dictated, how would you transcribe it?35

69. If crepitance was dictated, how would you transcribe it?
ANSWER: crepitance
Page 115. 35

70. The plural form for the word bruit
is bruits. 36

71. The plural form for the word bruit is bruits.
ANSWER: True
Page 43. 36

72. When “heme-positive stools” is dictated,
When “heme-positive stools” is dictated, it should be transcribed as stated.
True False 37

73. When “heme-positive stools” is dictated,
When “heme-positive stools” is dictated, it should be transcribed as stated.
True False
ANSWER: True
Page 96. 37

74. The sentence below is punctuated correctly.
The baby weighed 6 pounds 7 ounces. 38

75. The sentence below is punctuated correctly.
The baby weighed 6 pounds 7 ounces.
ANSWER: Yes.
Page 406. 38

76. The sentence below is an example of the correct usage of abbreviations.
The baby weighed 6 lb. 7 oz. 39

77. The sentence below is an example of the correct usage of abbreviations.
The baby weighed 6 lb. 7 oz.
ANSWER: No.
Page 405. 39

78. Which specialty uses the TIMI classification system?40

79. Which specialty uses the TIMI classification system?
ANSWER: Cardiology.
(Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction.)
Page 62. 40

80. If "staphylococcus" was dictated without the species, would "staphylococcus" be capitalized?41

81. If "staphylococcus" was dictated without the species, would "staphylococcus" be capitalized?
ANSWER: No.
Page 189. 41

82. When dictated "one and a half teaspoons" how would you transcribe it?
a. 1.5 teaspoons
b. 1.5 tsp
c. 1-1/2 teaspoons
d. 1-1/2 tsp 42

83. When dictated "one and a half teaspoons" how would you transcribe it?
a. 1.5 teaspoons
b. 1.5 tsp
c. 1-1/2 teaspoons
d. 1-1/2 tsp
ANSWER: c. 1-1/2 teaspoons
Pages 385 and 405. 42

84. Select the correct verb for the following sentence.
The diagnosis from the biopsies ______ (were or was) benign. 43

85. Select the correct verb for the following sentence.
The diagnosis from the biopsies ______ (were or was) benign.
ANSWER: was
Page 376. 43

86. The following sentence is punctuated correctly.
The patient will return in one months time. 44

87. The following sentence is punctuated correctly.
The patient will return in one months time.
ANSWER: No.
Page 44

88. In the following sentence the word "French"should be capitalized.
A 5-French catheter was used. 45

89. In the following sentence the word "French"should be capitalized.
A 5-French catheter was used.
ANSWER: Yes.
Page 182. 45

90. The following sentence is correctly punctuated.
The patient, a 30-year-old, was pregnant for the first time. 46

91. The following sentence is correctly punctuated.
The patient, a 30-year-old, was pregnant for the first time.
ANSWER: Yes.
Page 18. 46

92. The following is punctuated correctly. T2 N1 M1
T2 N1 M1 47

93. The following is punctuated correctly. T2 N1 M1
T2 N1 M1
ANSWER: Yes.
Page 54. 47

94. The temperature outside is ________ degrees. -10 minus 10
-10 minus 10 48

95. The temperature outside is ________ degrees. -10 minus 10
-10 minus 10
ANSWER: minus 10
Page 257. 48

96. The patient was found to have ________ blood type. B negative B-
B negative B- 49

97. The patient was found to have ________ blood type. B negative B-
B negative B-
ANSWER: B negative
Page 41. 49

98. The following sentence represents correct style.
The 2nd degree burns were treated. 50

99. The following sentence represents correct style.
The 2nd degree burns were treated.
ANSWER: Yes.
Page 72. 50

100. The following sentence is correctly punctuated.
The patient moved to Orlando, Florida 20 years ago. 51

101. The following sentence is correctly punctuated.
The patient moved to Orlando, Florida 20 years ago.
ANSWER: No. (comma after Florida)
Page 89. 51

102. Which is correct, fluctuants or fluctuance?52

103. Which is correct, fluctuants or fluctuance?
ANSWER: fluctuance
Page 171. 52

104. The following demonstrates correct style. 2-1/3 mm
2-1/3 mm 53

105. The following demonstrates correct style. 2-1/3 mm
2-1/3 mm
ANSWER: Yes.
Page 405. 53

106. The following demonstrates correct style. April 4th, 200154

107. The following demonstrates correct style. April 4th, 2001 ANSWER: No.
However, the 4th of April 2001 is correct.
Page 121. 54

108. The following sentence is punctuated correctly.
The patient was admitted with low back pain. 55

109. The following sentence is punctuated correctly.
The patient was admitted with low back pain.
ANSWER: Yes.
Page 92. 55

110. If the term "3 cm" was dictated in the diagnosis, would you expand cm to centimeters?56

111. If the term "3 cm" was dictated in the diagnosis, would you expand cm to centimeters?
ANSWER: No.
Page 133. 56

112. The following statement reflects correct style.
"The inch screw was used." 57

113. ANSWER: Yes. The following statement reflects correct style.
"The inch screw was used."
ANSWER: Yes.
Page 125. 57

114. correct style. The following statement reflects
The differential showed 2 percent bands. 58

115. The following statement reflects correct style.
The differential showed 2 percent bands.
ANSWER: No. (2%)
Page 308. 58

116. punctuated correctly? His father has Alzheimer's.
Is the following sentence
punctuated correctly?
His father has Alzheimer's. 59

117. ANSWER: Yes. punctuated correctly? His father has Alzheimer's.
Is the following sentence
punctuated correctly?
His father has Alzheimer's.
ANSWER: Yes.
Page 162. 59

118. How would you transcribe the term that sounds like "mucus see" when dictated?60

119. How would you transcribe the term that sounds like "mucus see" when dictated?
ANSWER: Edit to mucus or mucus-like.
Page 263. 60

120. Which is the preferred style? email e-mail 61

121. Which is the preferred style? email e-mail
ANSWER:
Pages 111, 112, 523. 61

122. Remember…
Style Matters!

123. Brenda J. Hurley, CMT, FAAMT Director of MT Development
Thank You!
Brenda J. Hurley, CMT, FAAMT
Director of MT Development