The Nurse and Health Literacy
A patient nods while you explain discharge instructions but avoids eye contact and asks no questions.
What would the nurse do to confirm understanding?
Use the teach‑back method in plain language
A patient with chronic pain appears overwhelmed and has difficulty processing new information during teaching.
What would the nurse do to reduce barriers to learning?
Break information into small steps, repeat key points, timing of teaching.
A nurse identifies that many patients struggle with medication adherence due to cost and transportation issues.
What would the nurse do to promote health at a population level?
Social services referral, advocacy, community partnerships
A patient says, “My doctor says I need to exercise, but I’m not worried about it right now.”
What would the nurse do next using the Transtheoretical Model?
Raise awareness, avoid pushing action, stage‑appropriate intervention
A patient with low health literacy needs discharge teaching for a new diagnosis.
What would the nurse do first?
Assess understanding, learning needs, readiness
A patient states they “can’t read very well” and is embarrassed to ask for help reviewing written instructions.
What would the nurse do to support this patient’s understanding?
Use verbal teaching, visuals, normalize difficulty, avoid written‑only materials
A patient distrusts healthcare recommendations due to prior negative experiences.
What would the nurse do to build trust and engagement?
Active listening, validation, cultural humility, shared decision‑making
A nurse wants to reduce falls in older adults within the community.
What would the nurse do from a health promotion perspective?
Environmental interventions, education, policy, prevention strategies
A patient believes lifestyle changes won’t really help their condition.
What would the nurse do using the Health Belief Model?
Increase perceived benefits and self‑efficacy
A nurse realizes that “doing more teaching” is not improving patient outcomes.
What would the nurse do differently?
Shift from information‑giving to engagement, shared decision‑making
A patient speaks limited English and is accompanied by a teenage family member who offers to translate.
What would the nurse do next to ensure safe communication?
Request a professional interpreter rather than using family
A community health nurse works with a low‑income population experiencing housing insecurity.
What would the nurse do to address societal barriers to health literacy?
Link to community resources, address SDOH, advocate beyond individual teaching
A nurse is planning an education session for a diverse community with varying cultures and beliefs.
What would the nurse do to ensure effective health promotion?
Tailored education, culturally appropriate strategies
A patient becomes motivated to change after watching peers successfully manage their condition.
What would the nurse do to reinforce behavior using Social Cognitive Theory?
Reinforcement, role modeling, building confidence
A nurse plans care for a culturally diverse population with varying readiness to change.
What would the nurse do to individualize interventions?
Combine health literacy principles + behavior change theories
A patient has difficulty navigating follow‑up appointments and filling prescriptions after discharge.
Care coordination, simplified instructions, referrals, scheduling support
A clinic uses complex brochures that patients rarely understand or keep.
What would the nurse do at the systems level to improve health literacy?
Recommend plain‑language materials, visual redesign, leadership advocacy
A nurse observes that individual patient teaching alone is not reducing rates of uncontrolled hypertension.
What would the nurse do to expand health promotion efforts?
Multilevel interventions (policy, community, environment)
A patient has relapsed after previously maintaining a healthy behavior for several months.
What would the nurse do according to behavior change theory?
Normalize relapse, reassess stage, re‑engage without judgment
A nurse wants to address health inequities rather than just individual behaviors.
What would the nurse do to promote health equity?
Address SDOH, advocate at systems level, build trust