To help patients better understand education materials that are too difficult to read, the PT should use:

To help patients better understand education materials that are too difficult to read, the PT should use:

• A. Including illustrations and a larger print
• B. Including illustrations and a simpler sentence structure
• C. Reducing the number of syllables and lengthening the sentences
• D. Using a larger print format to present specific medical terminology

Answer: (B)

Using visuals together with plain, simpler sentence structure helps patients understand materials that are hard to read. Illustrations support comprehension by showing steps, actions, and concepts in a concrete way, making abstract information more relatable and providing a different way to process the message. Pairing those visuals with short, clear sentences that use everyday words and the active voice reduces cognitive load, improves readability, and enhances retention and adherence. Simply making the print larger doesn't fix dense wording, and trying to shorten the sentences while keeping complex phrasing or adding large amounts of specialized terminology can still leave patients confused. The combination of clear visuals and easy-to-read text offers the most accessible and effective approach.

Using visuals together with plain, simpler sentence structure helps patients understand materials that are hard to read. Illustrations support comprehension by showing steps, actions, and concepts in a concrete way, making abstract information more relatable and providing a different way to process the message. Pairing those visuals with short, clear sentences that use everyday words and the active voice reduces cognitive load, improves readability, and enhances retention and adherence. Simply making the print larger doesn't fix dense wording, and trying to shorten the sentences while keeping complex phrasing or adding large amounts of specialized terminology can still leave patients confused. The combination of clear visuals and easy-to-read text offers the most accessible and effective approach.