4.03: Tools for Addressing Low Health Literacy
What are the responsibilities of a community health nurse to the families being served? (Select all that apply.)
Advocate for family wellness., Strive to eliminate disparities in the delivery of health care to families., Address issues affecting family health., Promote the health literacy of family members. Rationale:The responsibilities of community health nurses to families are to advocate for their health and wellness, to eliminate disparities in health care delivery, and to promote health literacy. It is the family's responsibility to establish their own health and wellness practices.
Which statement is true about health literacy?
Experts recommend that all clients be treated as if they have low health literacy. Rationale:Since research indicates that a high percentage of Americans have health literacy challenges, health literacy experts recommend that all clients be treated as if they have low health literacy. Clients with low health literacy are more likely to hide the fact that they don't understand a medical form, and are less likely to ask questions during a clinical encounter.
What is the recommended reading level of medical literature?
Fourth to sixth grade Rationale:It is recommended that medical literature be produced at a fourth- to sixth-grade reading level.
Providing information on services provided at a local free clinic is an example of supporting which patient need?
Health literacy Rationale:Health literacy also is a vital area that requires nurses to advocate on behalf of families within the community. Providing health information available to families in language and content that is clear, concise, and understandable is essential for a well-informed public. Although the other options are appropriate, they are not as focused on health literacy.
Which of these are signs an individual may have health literacy challenges? (Select all that apply.)
Is more passive in the clinical encounter and rarely asks questions, Misunderstands prescription medication instructions, Has difficulty completing health forms Rationale:Misunderstanding prescription medication instructions, difficulty completing forms, and passive behavior can all point to possible health literacy challenges.
What strategies should a nurse employ when providing health teaching to a client? (Select all that apply.)
Organize the content into units or components of like or related content., Check for understanding by frequently asking questions. Rationale:To ensure that the client understands what is being taught, the nurse should ask questions frequently throughout the teaching presentation. A client's understanding can also be aided by organizing the content into relevant components. The nurse should communicate in plain, simple language, and make use of visual material when appropriate. The nurse should also take into consideration the client's ability to purchase suggested items in the teaching content.
Which skill is fundamental to a nurse's ability to enhance a patient's health literacy?
Providing information in a manner that the patient can easily understand Rationale:Providing health information available to families in language and content that is clear, concise, and understandable is essential for a well-informed, health-literate public.
Which is a past screening tool used by practitioners to assess health literacy?
Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM), Test of Functional Health Literacy (TOFHLA) Rationale:Practitioners have used the REALM and TOFHLA to assess health literacy. Research, however, has indicated that both REALM and TOFHLA tests have limitations, including being difficult to administer due to the shame and stigma associated with low literacy levels.
