A nurse should identify a health literacy barrier when a client states which of the following?

• A. I prefer to read all directives before discussing
• B. I understand everything after hearing a brief explanation
• C. I don't like to read; just tell me what I need to know
• D. I ask questions to clarify and restate what I heard

Answer: (C)

Health literacy is the ability to obtain, understand, and act on health information. A barrier shows up when a patient says they don’t like to read and want to be told only the essential information verbally. That statement points to difficulty with accessing or processing written materials, which can hinder understanding of instructions, medication labels, discharge plans, or forms. In practice, the nurse should respond with plain language explanations, use teach-back to confirm understanding, and provide information in multiple formats (spoken, visuals, and, if helpful, audio) while ensuring materials are at an appropriate reading level. The other responses indicate the patient engages with information, understands explanations, and asks clarifying questions, which align with better health literacy.