What it means
After teaching, the nurse asks the client to say back what they need to know or do, for example, "To be sure I explained it clearly, can you tell me how you will take this medicine?" It tests how well the nurse explained, not the client. If the answer is incomplete, the nurse teaches again a different way and checks again. It works for clients at every level of health literacyhelth LIT-er-uh-seeA person's ability to find, understand and use health information to make decisions about their health.Full entry .
For the nurse
Ask open questions, not "Do you understand?", which gets a yes either way. For a skill, pair it with a return demonstrationrih-TURN dem-un-STRAY-shunHaving a client or caregiver perform a skill they were just taught, while the nurse watches, to confirm they can do it correctly.Full entry .
At a glance
| Also written | teach back, teach-back method |
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Related terms
health literacy
A person's ability to find, understand and use health information to make decisions about their health.
discharge teaching
Teaching that prepares a client and family to manage care at home after leaving the hospital or facility.
return demonstration
Having a client or caregiver perform a skill they were just taught, while the nurse watches, to confirm they can do it correctly.