After a diagnosis of OA, education will help patients compensate for and manage its effects by adapting their usual activities; using assistive devices; and complying with medication, exercise, and weight management programs.40-43 Nurses can impart this information to patients in formal discussions or educational materials and by giving them advice on using electronic resources to find more information. An accurate assessment of the patient's educational level must be made before an effective program can begin. According to the 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy, 14% of the population in the United States has “below basic” health literacy, which limits their ability to understand health information and make informed health-related decisions.44