Table 1.

Description of Health Scenarios.

Information Presentation: Task	Description
Print documents
Consent to a procedure	Read a consent form given before an angiography and exhibit understanding of the procedure, potential complications, and physician responsibilities.
Monitor blood sugar	Calculate and interpret numeric information from a chart listing 7 days of recorded blood sugar levels before and after meals for a diabetic patient.
Prepare for a procedure	Review instructions for colonoscopy preparation, and demonstrate comprehension of patient duties prior to the procedure.
Choose a facility	Examine written text about pressure sore prevention, a chart comparing prevention at two nursing homes, and a map in order to select the best facility.
Monitor condition	Review and demonstrate understanding of a sheet about heart failure symptoms, monitoring, and self-care activities, as well as a calendar indicating weight and swelling status.
Medication bottles
Manage Prescription Medications	Review prescription bottles from two hypothetical prescription medication regimens; pronounce the names of the medications, make inferences on usage, and dose both regimens over a 24-hour period using a medication box.
Spoken instructions
Understand new diagnosis	Receive oral instructions from a physician regarding a diagnosis and course of treatment for GERD; answer questions to assess immediate and delayed recall about self-management.
Recall home care instructions	Listen to wound care instructions for a laceration upon discharge from the emergency department; recall information about follow-up appointments, frequency of dressing change, and signs of infection.
Multimedia video
Recall symptom prevention information	Watch a video clip on identifying, monitoring, and controlling asthma triggers; recall information immediately following the video and at the end of the interview.