Health literacy

Definition

Health literacy is the ability to obtain, comprehend, and use health-related information to make informed decisions about one's health care. It involves understanding medical instructions, medication labels, and navigating the healthcare system.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. High health literacy is crucial for effective patient education and adherence to drug regimens.
2. Nurses play a key role in assessing and improving patients' health literacy during drug administration.
3. Inadequate health literacy can lead to medication errors and adverse drug reactions.
4. Teaching strategies like using plain language and visual aids can enhance patient understanding of their medications.
5. Evaluation of a patient's health literacy should be part of the nursing process when administering drugs.

Review Questions

• Why is high health literacy important for drug administration?
• How can nurses assess a patient's health literacy?
• What are some strategies nurses can use to improve patients' understanding of their medications?

Related terms

Patient Education:

Providing information to patients about their health conditions and treatments in an understandable manner.

Medication Adherence:

The degree to which a patient correctly follows medical advice regarding prescribed medications.

Informed Consent:

The process of understanding the risks and benefits of treatment before agreeing to it.