Unit 2: Part 5

Health Literacy

The degree to which an individual can find, understand, and make informed health care-related decisions.

Substandard Health Literacy

A level of health literacy that is below standard, indicating individuals may struggle to understand health information.

Importance of Health Literacy in Nursing

Nurses must educate patients at a level they understand, using clear language and avoiding jargon.

Patient Education

The process of providing information to patients to help them make informed health decisions.

Assessment of Patient Knowledge

Evaluating the patient's understanding of specific safety risks to provide appropriate education.

Statistics on Health Literacy

As of last year, 88 percent of American adults have a substandard health literacy level.