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Mastering Narrative Charting: Why Client Documentation Must Be Chronologic 🕒

Category: Nursing Education | Keywords: Narrative Charting, Nursing Documentation, Fundamentals of Nursing, LET Review

Cel must know that in narrative charting, documentation of client care should be ______.

A. Descriptive
B. Chronologic
C. Extensive
D. Formatted

Answer: ✅ B. Chronologic

Rationale:
In narrative charting, nurses record client care in a story-like, continuous form. The most essential rule is that entries must be written chronologically — in the order events occur. This ensures a clear and accurate timeline of assessments, interventions, and outcomes, promoting continuity of care and legal accuracy.

Why the other options are incorrect:
• A. Descriptive — Though notes describe patient care, the key principle is chronological sequence.
• C. Extensive — Documentation should be concise, not overly lengthy.
• D. Formatted — Narrative charting is free-flowing and not based on fixed templates like SOAP or PIE.

References:

• Berman, A., Snyder, S., & Frandsen, G. (2021). Kozier & Erb’s Fundamentals of Nursing (11th ed.). Pearson.
• Potter, P. A., Perry, A. G., Stockert, P. A., & Hall, A. M. (2023). Fundamentals of Nursing (11th ed.). Elsevier.
• American Nurses Association (2021). Principles for Nursing Documentation. nursingworld.org

💡 Study Tip: “Write as you go, not as you recall.” Always document immediately after care is rendered to maintain accuracy and reliability.

“Chronologic charting helps tell the complete story of patient care.”

#NursingEducation #NarrativeCharting #NurseLife #LETReview #SLRCReview #NursingDocumentation #FundamentalsOfNursing

Learn why client documentation in narrative charting must always be chronologic. Understand its rationale, avoid common mistakes, and remember key tips for your nursing exams and LET review.

Mnemonic to Remember: “CHRONO = Care Happens Right On Noted Order”

Breakdown:

Letter	Meaning	Reminder
C	Care	Focus on client care documentation.
H	Happens	Write what happens in order.
R	Right	Record events in the right sequence.
O	On	Based on time.
N	Noted	Notes must follow the flow of events.
O	Order	Maintain chronological order always.

👉 CHRONO reminds you that documentation in narrative charting is chronological — events are recorded as they happen, not after or out of sequence.