The teach-back method is used to verify patient understanding by asking the patient to:

• A. Explain information back in their own words.
• B. Sign a consent form.
• C. Copy the information into the chart.
• D. Summarize the nurse's instructions in writing only.

Answer: (A)

The teach-back method centers on confirming understanding by asking the patient to explain information back in their own words. This approach reveals whether the patient truly grasps the instructions and can apply them, such as how to take medications, follow wound-care steps, or recognize warning signs. When the patient can restate the plan accurately, you know the message was communicated effectively and you can proceed with confidence or re-teach as needed.

Signing a consent form is about giving permission for treatment, not about understanding the information conveyed. Copying information into the chart is a documentation task, not a measure of comprehension. Summarizing in writing only places the burden on the patient to produce a written summary and doesn't demonstrate practical understanding or ability to act on the instructions.