NCLEX · Lifestyle Choices and Self-Care

Which is a general principle of effective client health teaching?

Correct answer

Assess the client's readiness and understanding, use clear language, and confirm comprehension (for example, by teach-back)

  1. A Use complex medical jargon
  2. B Assess the client's readiness and understanding, use clear language, and confirm comprehension (for example, by teach-back)
  3. C Teach everything at once regardless of the client's state
  4. D Avoid letting the client ask questions

Why this is the answer

Effective health teaching involves assessing the client's readiness to learn and current understanding, using clear, plain language at the client's level, breaking information into manageable pieces, and confirming comprehension — for example, by asking the client to restate or demonstrate the information (the teach-back method). Using jargon, overwhelming the client, or discouraging questions undermines learning. Tailoring teaching to the client and verifying understanding are core principles of client education and health promotion. Understanding these teaching principles is standard content. (This reflects general principles; verify against current NCLEX prep materials.)
Source: NCLEX-PN Health Promotion — Client Teaching Principles