Stages of Change

Question 1

What are the first three stages of change?

Answer 1

Pre-contemplation

Contemplation

Preparation

Question 2

What are the second three stages of change?

Answer 2

Action

Maintenance

Relapse (and recommitment)

Question 3

How should you approach a patient who is a smoker and is in the pre-contemplation stage of smoking cessation?

Answer 3

Briefly stress importance of quitting

Leave the door open for future efforts (I.e. don’t alienate the patient)

Question 4

How should you approach a patient who is a smoker and is in the pre-contemplation stage of smoking cessation?

Answer 4

Discuss their ambivalence

Discuss pros and cons

Validate

Stress that the decision is theirs to make

Question 5

How should you approach a patient who is a smoker and is in the preparation stage of smoking cessation?

Answer 5

Identify social support

Identify and discuss barriers

Encourage small initial steps

Validate

Question 6

How should you approach a patient who is a smoker and is in the action stage of smoking cessation?

Answer 6

Check-in

Bolster self-efficacy

Check for barriers

Question 7

How should you approach a patient who is a smoker and is in the maintenance stage of smoking cessation?

Answer 7

Reinforce internal rewards

Discuss coping with relapse

Question 8

How should you approach a patient who is a smoker and is in the relapse stage of smoking cessation?

Answer 8

Evaluate trigger for relapse

Reassess motivation and barriers

Plan stronger coping strategies