Describe best practices for obtaining informed consent from a patient with limited health literacy.

• A. Use medical jargon to ensure precise understanding.
• B. Rely on family members to interpret.
• C. Use plain language, teach-back method, confirm understanding, provide time for questions, assess capacity, and document.
• D. Provide consent information only verbally.

Answer: (C)

Ensuring true understanding and voluntary agreement through plain language and verification. For patients with limited health literacy, using plain language helps the patient grasp what the procedure involves, including benefits, risks, alternatives, and potential consequences, without getting lost in medical jargon. The teach-back method is a practical way to confirm understanding: ask the patient to explain in their own words what will happen and why, so you can spot misconceptions and address them immediately. Confirming understanding goes beyond a simple yes/no check; it involves asking targeted questions and clarifications that reflect how well the patient has absorbed the information. Providing time for questions respects the patient’s pace and creates space for concerns or confusion to surface. Assessing capacity is essential to ensure the patient can comprehend and make a voluntary decision; if capacity is lacking, involve appropriate surrogate decision-makers in line with policy. Documenting the conversation and the patient’s understanding creates a clear record that consent was informed and obtained properly. This combination supports autonomy, reduces misunderstanding, and strengthens the ethical and legal validity of the consent.