What should be included when signing your name on a medical record?

• A. Full legal name with middle initial
• B. Just your signature
• C. The first initial, last name, and title
• D. Your printed name only

Answer: (C)

When signing a medical record, you must clearly identify who you are and in what capacity you’re signing. The best practice is to use your first initial plus your last name and include your professional title after the signature. This combination shows exactly who signed and what authority they had to document, which supports accountability and proper record-keeping. A plain signature alone doesn’t reveal identity or role, and a printed name without the signature doesn’t tie the entry to a specific signer. A full legal name with a middle initial may be correct in some contexts, but it doesn’t reliably convey your professional role, whereas including the title makes your credential and scope of practice clear.