Final answer:
The caller's account number is not required when taking a telephone message, unless it's particularly relevant to the call. The standard information to gather includes the caller's name, phone number, the time and date, and the intended recipient of the call.
Step-by-step explanation:
The item that is not required when a telephone message is taken is D) The caller's account number. When taking a telephone message, it is essential to record the caller's name and phone number, the time and date of the call, and the name of the person to whom the call is directed. However, the caller's account number is not a standard requirement for a message unless the nature of the business specifically deals with accounts and it's relevant to the call.
Over time, certain practices such as taking detailed messages have evolved due to factors like the increased use of caller ID, the decreased use of landlines, and the increased use of private numbers. Modern technologies such as voicemail and privacy managers also contribute to this shift, alongside the hectic nature of personal schedules and a general decreased willingness to be interviewed or give out personal information unnecessarily.