Written Communication Principles

Read each statement or question, and choose the answer that best completes that statement or question. Record your answer in the blank provided.

_______ 1. The correct format for a date is

(a) Sept. 1, 2010

(b) 1 Sept 10

(c) September 1, 2010

(d) 9-10-10

_______ 2. The correct position for a date is

(a) After the salutation

(b) 1 inch from the top of the page

(c) Between the address and the salutation

(d) 2 to 2.5 inches from the top of the page

_______ 3. A page notation includes

(a) Date of the letter

(b) Patients medical record number

(c) Patients name

(d) All of the above

(e) Only b and c

_______ 4. Which of the following is true regarding business letters?

(a) The salutation in most letters would address the recipient by a first name.

(b) Shorter paragraphs make a letter easier to read.

(c) Letters regarding a minor patient should be addressed to the patient.

(d) A page notation should appear on the first page of a letter.

_______ 5. Identify the correct format for a reference notation.

(a) AB/YZ

(b) AB/yz

(c) Ab/yz

(d) AB-yz

(e) None of the above

_______ 6. Which of the following statements is false regarding notations?

(a) A computer file notation can help locate a file if a change needs to be made to a letter.

(b) A copy notation identifies individuals other than the addressee who will be sent a copy of a letter.

(c) An assistant should be alert for any enclosures that may need to be included in a letter.

(d) Notations contain important information for the addressee of a letter.

_______ 7. Which of the following is true regarding a business letter?

(a) All letters are dictated by physicians.

(b) A letter portfolio provides helpful examples of letters for the office staff.

(c) Default margins should always be 1 inch.

(d) Block-style letters are a very easy format to reproduce because everything lines up on the left margin.

_______ 8. Which of the following is false regarding addressing business envelopes?

(a) Addresses should be left justified.

(b) Any font can be used.

(c) Solid caps should be used when the address is typed.

(d) Attention lines should appear at the top of an address.

_______ 9. Which of the following is false regarding memos?

(a) Memos are communication pieces used within an office.

(b) Memos can be sent to large groups of people.

(c) Signature lines are required in a memo.

(d) Reference initials are used in memos.

______ 10. Which of the following is false regarding email?

(a) Email can be used internally to communicate information quickly to employees.

(b) Email should be used as often as possible regardless of whether or not the information included in the email is important.

(c) Not all email may be secure.

(d) A copy of an email from a patient should be added to the patients medical record.