A medical assistant fails to accurately document a patient's reported adverse reactions after an office procedure. This is an example of which of the following?

A. Thoracentesis: Thoracentesis is a procedure to remove fluid from the space between the lungs and the chest wall; it is not a reconstruction.
B. Rhinoplasty: Rhinoplasty is a surgical reconstruction of the nose, often performed for cosmetic or functional reasons.
C. Appendectomy: Appendectomy is the surgical removal of the appendix, not a reconstructive surgery.
D. Colotomy: Colotomy is the surgical incision into the colon, not a reconstructive procedure.

A. Wrapping hinged instruments in the open, unlocked position: Hinged instruments should be wrapped in the open, unlocked position to ensure that steam can penetrate all surfaces for effective sterilization.
B. Allowing the temperature of the autoclave to reach 200° F before timing: The autoclave should reach the required temperature (typically 250°F or 121°C) for the appropriate amount of time for sterilization, not 200°F.
C. Using a ballpoint pen to label contents: It is not advisable to use a ballpoint pen for labeling sterilized items because ink might not withstand the autoclave's high temperatures. Permanent markers or labels that can endure high temperatures should be used.
D. Stacking wrapped packages tightly into the autoclave: Items should be arranged in a way that allows steam to circulate freely, so tightly stacking packages can hinder proper sterilization.