The word NO

[SBehanna]

We were told not to use the word No in documentation. So how would you phrase "No edema in lower extremities". How do you get around the word No? Also where can you find examples of wording in nursing documentation /charting. It would be nice to know how to word things when you have never done it before. Would appreciate any help. Thanks

[suizzz]

Sometimes, I just left it blank if patient's condition is normal. But I did write "no wheezing observed" if a patient admitted for acute asthma, some conditions indicate patient improving or worsening should be written.:paw:

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

I've never heard not to use "no" in charting. What's the rationale?

[melmarie23, MSN, RN]

absence of edema?

or just chart by exception?

[Katnip, RN]

Abscence of edema, lower exremities WNL, things like that.

For wheezing, lung sounds clear, abscence of wheezing.

[SlightlyMental_RN]

I've used "LE edema absent bilaterally." "Lung sounds clear bilaterally."

[morte, LPN, LVN]

hmmmm but WHY?

[Tait, MSN, RN]

Sounds like whoever told you that is afraid of absolutes. I use "no" whenever and wherever I need it.

I have never been told not to.

Tait

[leslie :-D]

i've never heard of not using "no" in nn's.

likely it is your facility's p&p.

agree w/those who suggest, absence, negative for.

or, do not even chart on it unless there is something notable.

many ways to get around this.

we can be a very creative bunch.

leslie

[Jules A, MSN]

I usually either write "no edema noted" or "no edema noted at this time" especially if their condition is likely to change.

[HealthShepherd]

I think the person who told you not to use the word "no" has heard of charting by exception but not quite grasped it. He or she was probably taught not to chart normal findings and given several examples that began with "no this" and "no that", then twisted that into an absurd rule.

If it's really just one person's silly idea that it's taboo to use the word no - a simple (if somewhat smartass) way to get around it would be to substitute 0. On my unit we chart by hand and we all use 0 with a line through it as short for no or not.

Good luck staying sane,

Rhymeswithlibrarian

[Otessa, BSN, RN]

We were told not to use the word No in documentation. So how would you phrase "No edema in lower extremities". How do you get around the word No? Also where can you find examples of wording in nursing documentation /charting. It would be nice to know how to word things when you have never done it before. Would appreciate any help. Thanks

"Lower extremities without edema" would be my pick.

otessa