Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) Practice Exam

Which method is the most effective for assessing a woman's literacy skills?

1. Ask her if she reads the daily newspaper.

2. Ask her about her educational level.

3. Show her a nutrition label and ask questions that require her to read the label.

4. Give her an article and ask her to read it to you.

The correct answer is: Show her a nutrition label and ask questions that require her to read the label.

The chosen method of showing a woman a nutrition label and asking questions that require her to read the label is the most effective way to assess her literacy skills. This approach provides a practical demonstration of reading ability in a context that is directly related to health and nutrition, which is particularly relevant for a woman managing her health or diabetes. By engaging her with real-world materials, you can evaluate her understanding of text, numerical information, and functional literacy skills—all essential components of health literacy. This assessment goes beyond simply asking about education or general reading habits; it directly tests her ability to interpret and apply the information found on the label, which has immediate implications for her dietary choices and health management. In contrast, asking if she reads a daily newspaper or inquiring about her educational level do not provide a direct assessment of her practical literacy skills, as these questions are more general and do not engage her in active reading or comprehension. Similarly, handing her an article to read is limited because it doesn’t tie the reading task to a specific, real-world application that is relevant to her day-to-day life.