A nurse is caring for a patient who smokes two packs a day.The nurse knows that the patient is in the contemplation stage regarding smoking cessation.What is the nurse's best response to help the patient move into the preparation stage?
A) "You need to stop smoking as soon as possible."
B) "Smoking will kill you if you don't stop."
C) "The negative effects of smoking can be reversed."
D) "Tobacco use killed 435,000 people in 2000."

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that the negative effects can be reversed may prompt the patient to think about the benefits of quitting and move the patient into the preparation stage of change.You need to stop smoking is a directive and not appropriate.Tobacco use killed 435,000 does not allow the patient to think about quitting; it just relates facts.Giving an ultimatum by saying that smoking will kill you if you don't stop is inappropriate.

A Nurse Is Caring for a Patient Who Smokes Two