Readiness for Enhanced Health Literacy Nursing Diagnosis & Care Plan

Readiness for Enhanced Health Literacy nursing diagnosis focuses on patients’ desire and ability to improve their understanding and use of health-related information. This diagnosis helps nurses identify opportunities to strengthen patients’ capacity to make informed health decisions and navigate healthcare systems effectively.

Defining Characteristics (As Evidenced By)

Patients demonstrating readiness for enhanced health literacy may show the following:

Subjective Indicators:

• Expresses interest in health information
• Shows motivation to learn about health conditions
• Asks relevant questions about health status
• Demonstrates willingness to use health resources
• Reports desire to improve health knowledge
• Shows interest in preventive care

Objective Indicators:

• Follows through with recommended health screenings
• Maintains scheduled appointments
• Uses reliable health information sources
• Demonstrates understanding of current health status
• Shows ability to navigate healthcare systems
• Successfully manages current medications
• Participates actively in health discussions

Contributing Factors (Related To)

Several factors can support enhanced health literacy:

• Educational background and cognitive ability
• Previous healthcare experiences
• Access to health information resources
• Support system involvement
• Cultural and linguistic considerations
• Technology literacy
• Socioeconomic status
• Health insurance literacy
• Healthcare provider relationships

Expected Outcomes

Successful enhancement of health literacy includes:

• The patient demonstrates an improved understanding of health conditions
• Patient shows increased confidence in health decision-making
• The patient utilizes appropriate health resources effectively
• The patient maintains preventive health practices
• Patient communicates effectively with healthcare providers
• The patient shows improved medication adherence
• The patient successfully navigates healthcare systems
• The patient demonstrates enhanced self-advocacy skills

Nursing Assessment

1. Evaluate Current Health Literacy Level

• Assess understanding of medical terminology
• Evaluate comprehension of health instructions
• Review ability to read health materials
• Assess numeracy skills for medication management
• Document technology proficiency

2. Identify Learning Preferences

• Determine preferred learning methods
• Assess language preferences
• Note cultural considerations
• Evaluate cognitive status
• Document educational background

3. Assess Support Systems

• Evaluate family involvement
• Identify community resources
• Review the social support network
• Document access to healthcare
• Assess financial resources

4. Review Health Management Skills

• Monitor medication management abilities
• Assess appointment keeping
• Evaluate preventive care practices
• Document self-monitoring skills
• Review emergency preparedness

Nursing Care Plans

Nursing Care Plan 1: Knowledge Enhancement

Nursing Diagnosis Statement:
Readiness for Enhanced Knowledge related to expressed interest in health information as evidenced by active participation in health discussions.

Related Factors:

• Cognitive ability to learn
• Access to educational resources
• Supportive environment
• Positive learning attitude

Nursing Interventions and Rationales:

1. Provide structured health education
   Rationale: Builds a foundation for improved health understanding
2. Use teach-back method
   Rationale: Confirms comprehension and retention of information
3. Offer varied learning materials
   Rationale: Accommodates different learning styles

Desired Outcomes:

• The patient will demonstrate increased health knowledge
• The patient will apply learned concepts to health decisions
• The patient will show an improved understanding of medical terminology

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Nursing Care Plan 2: Self-Advocacy Development

Nursing Diagnosis Statement:
Readiness for Enhanced Self-Advocacy related to the expressed desire for improved healthcare participation as evidenced by increased engagement in health discussions.

Related Factors:

• Communication skills
• Understanding of rights
• Confidence level
• Support system presence

Nursing Interventions and Rationales:

1. Role-play healthcare scenarios
   Rationale: Builds confidence in healthcare interactions
2. Teach question-asking techniques
   Rationale: Improves communication with providers
3. Provide resources for patient rights
   Rationale: Enhances understanding of healthcare rights

Desired Outcomes:

• The patient will demonstrate effective communication with providers
• The patient will actively participate in treatment decisions
• The patient will show increased confidence in self-advocacy

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Nursing Care Plan 3: Resource Utilization

Nursing Diagnosis Statement:
Readiness for Enhanced Resource Utilization related to expressed interest in health management as evidenced by a willingness to explore health resources.

Related Factors:

• Available community resources
• Technology access
• Transportation availability
• Financial resources

Nursing Interventions and Rationales:

1. Introduce reliable health information sources
   Rationale: Ensures access to accurate health information
2. Teach healthcare navigation skills
   Rationale: Improves ability to access appropriate care
3. Connect with community resources
   Rationale: Expands support network

Desired Outcomes:

• The patient will effectively utilize health resources
• The patient will demonstrate improved healthcare navigation
• The patient will maintain connections with support services

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Nursing Care Plan 4: Health Decision-Making

Nursing Diagnosis Statement:
Readiness for Enhanced Decision-Making related to the expressed desire for improved health choices as evidenced by seeking health information.

Related Factors:

• Critical thinking ability
• Previous decision-making experiences
• Value system
• Risk awareness

Nursing Interventions and Rationales:

1. Teach decision-making frameworks
   Rationale: Provides structure for health choices
2. Practice risk-benefit analysis
   Rationale: Improves evaluation of health options
3. Review health priorities
   Rationale: Aligns decisions with personal goals

Desired Outcomes:

• The patient will demonstrate improved decision-making skills.
• Patient will show increased confidence in health choices
• The patient will make informed health decisions

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Nursing Care Plan 5: Preventive Health Management

Nursing Diagnosis Statement:
Readiness for Enhanced Health Management related to expressed interest in prevention as evidenced by participation in health screening.

Related Factors:

• Health awareness
• Preventive care knowledge
• Access to preventive services
• Motivation for health maintenance

Nursing Interventions and Rationales:

1. Develop a preventive care schedule
   Rationale: Establishes routine for health maintenance
2. Teach self-monitoring techniques
   Rationale: Enables early problem identification
3. Review health screening guidelines
   Rationale: Promotes understanding of preventive care

Desired Outcomes:

• The patient will maintain a preventive care schedule
• The patient will demonstrate self-monitoring skills
• The patient will show improved health maintenance

References

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2. Martin LT, Schonlau M, Haas A, Derose KP, Rosenfeld L, Buka SL, Rudd R. Patient activation and advocacy: which literacy skills matter most? J Health Commun. 2011;16 Suppl 3(Suppl 3):177-90. doi: 10.1080/10810730.2011.604705. PMID: 21951251; PMCID: PMC3187917.
3. Sørensen K, Van den Broucke S, Fullam J, Doyle G, Pelikan J, Slonska Z, Brand H; (HLS-EU) Consortium Health Literacy Project European. Health literacy and public health: a systematic review and integration of definitions and models. BMC Public Health. 2012 Jan 25;12:80. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-12-80. PMID: 22276600; PMCID: PMC3292515.
4. Wilandika A, Pandin MGR, Yusuf A. The roles of nurses in supporting health literacy: a scoping review. Front Public Health. 2023 Aug 16;11:1022803. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1022803. PMID: 37663836; PMCID: PMC10469320.
5. Ylitalo KR, Meyer MRU, Lanning BA, During C, Laschober R, Griggs JO. Simple screening tools to identify limited health literacy in a low-income patient population. Medicine (Baltimore). 2018 Mar;97(10):e0110. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000010110. PMID: 29517689; PMCID: PMC5882442.