"Teach It Right"
This 4-letter acronym assesses whether a patient is physically, emotionally, experientially, and knowledge-ready to learn.
What is PEEK?
These 4 letters represent the four domains of nutritional assessment: body measurements, lab values, physical exam findings, and food intake data.
What is ABCD (Anthropometric, Biochemical, Clinical, Dietary)?
This is the minimum weekly minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity recommended for healthy adults by the CDC.
What is 150 minutes?
This hormone, released by the adrenal cortex via the HPA axis, causes elevated blood glucose, immune suppression, central obesity, and sleep disruption when chronically elevated.
What is cortisol?
This evaluation method, considered the gold standard for patient teaching, asks patients to explain information in their own words, NOT to simply nod or say "yes."
What is the teach-back method?
This 2-question validated screening tool identifies food insecurity by asking whether a family has worried about food running out or whether the food they bought didn't last.
What is the Hunger Vital Sign?
This simple bedside intensity assessment distinguishes moderate activity (can talk, can't sing) from vigorous activity (can only say a few words).
What is the talk test?
Hans Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome has three stages: alarm, resistance, and this third stage. When the body's resources are depleted and disease begins to appear.
What is exhaustion?
A nurse teaches diabetes management to a patient who just received the diagnosis 20 minutes ago. The patient appears tearful and distracted. According to PEEK, this teaching session is likely to fail because of a deficit in THIS specific readiness domain.
What is emotional readiness?
In motivational interviewing, this 4-letter acronym represents the four core counseling skills nurses use instead of lecturing patients about their diet.
What is OARS (Open-ended questions, Affirmations, Reflections, Summaries)?
CDC guidelines specifically recommend THIS additional type of training for all adults aged 65 and older, primarily to prevent falls.
What is balance training?
This evidence-based relaxation technique, which we practiced together in class, uses a 4-second inhale through the nose, a 2-second hold, and a 6-second exhale through pursed lips.
What is diaphragmatic breathing (acceptable: belly breathing/4-2-6 breathing)?
Edelman describes four major learning theories. This theory, developed by Bandura, explains why support groups, peer educators, and modeling behaviors are so effective in health promotion.
What is social learning theory (also acceptable: social cognitive theory)?
An 82-year-old patient has lost 8 pounds unintentionally in the past month, has an albumin of 2.8, and says, "I don't feel like cooking anymore." The nurse recognizes this as THIS priority nursing concern, and the correct first-line interventions include social work referral AND depression screening.
What is malnutrition (acceptable: protein-calorie malnutrition/anorexia of aging)?
A 55-year-old sedentary patient with controlled hypertension says, "I want to start exercising but I don't have time." Using this 4-letter framework, a nurse writes her prescription: 3 days/week, moderate (brisk walking), start at 10 min and build to 30, aerobic + resistance 2 days/week.
What is FITT (Frequency, Intensity, Time, Type)?
A 42-year-old patient reports chronic headaches, insomnia, stress eating, and says "I'm failing at everything." She denies suicidal ideation. The nurse teaches breathing and sleep hygiene AND makes this type of referral for comprehensive mental health evaluation.
What is a behavioral health referral (acceptable: mental health referral, counseling referral, psychiatric referral)?