A nurse is teaching a client about how to instill eye drops. The nurse asks the client to explain the procedure in their own words. Which of the following types of teaching methods is the nurse using?

Choice A rationale Lecture is a passive teaching method where the educator provides information to the learner without requiring immediate participation or verification of understanding. It is useful for delivering large amounts of information to groups but does not allow the nurse to assess the client's actual retention or physical ability to perform a task. In this scenario, the nurse is actively seeking a demonstration of understanding from the client, which exceeds the scope of a lecture. Choice B rationale Role play involves the nurse and client acting out a scenario to practice social or communication skills. While it can be used for teaching, it is usually focused on emotional responses or complex interpersonal interactions rather than the verification of a specific technical procedure like eye drop instillation. The nurse in this question is asking for a verbalization of steps rather than acting out a situational scenario between two distinct characters or roles. Choice C rationale Query and answer, or question and answer, is a method used to clarify specific points or address gaps in knowledge. While the nurse is asking the client a question, the specific intent of asking the client to explain the entire procedure back is a structured pedagogical technique. Query and answer sessions are typically more fragmented and focused on individual facts rather than a comprehensive assessment of the client's ability to synthesize and repeat instructions. Choice D rationale Teach-back is a formal evidence-based communication loop where the nurse asks the client to explain the information or procedure in their own words. This method confirms that the client understands the teaching and allows the nurse to correct any misconceptions immediately. It is the gold standard for verifying health literacy and ensuring safety in self-administration of medications. By having the client explain the steps, the nurse ensures the instructions were clear and understood.