Which statement about teach-back in discharge planning is true?

• A. The discharge instructions are provided only verbally with no checking of understanding.
• B. It should only be used with complex medication regimens.
• C. It involves the patient explaining back the instructions in their own words to confirm understanding.
• D. It is unnecessary if the patient seems confident.

Answer: (C)

Teach-back is a patient education method used during discharge to verify understanding. After you provide discharge instructions, you ask the patient to explain in their own words what they will do, how they will take medications, what signs to watch for, and when to seek help. The patient might also demonstrate how they will carry out a task, such as taking a pill correctly or monitoring a symptom. This back-and-forth confirms that the plan is understood and highlights any gaps so you can re-teach and clarify. Confidence alone isn’t enough—the patient may feel confident but still misunderstand parts of the plan. Using teach-back with all patients helps ensure safety and can reduce readmissions by catching misunderstandings before they happen.