Final answer:
To assist a patient in preparing to quit smoking, providing a practical cessation tool like nicotine patches is most supportive. Simply listing the risks of smoking may not be as effective in fostering the preparation stage.
Step-by-step explanation:
To help a patient progress to the preparation stage for smoking cessation, the nurse should provide support and information that fosters the patient's intention to change their behavior in the near future. Of the given options, the statement that would most likely encourage progression to the preparation stage is: "The physician will give you nicotine patches to help you start to quit smoking."
This approach directly supports the patient's intent to quit by offering a practical and medically supervised tool to assist with the process. It's proactive and patient-centric, focused on helping the patient take actionable steps towards quitting smoking.
Statements that merely detail the risks associated with smoking (such as developing emphysema and lung cancer) or that suggest avoidance strategies might not be as effective at this stage. For example, while it is factually correct to say, "Research has shown that smoking causes emphysema and lung cancer," this doesn't directly support the patient's immediate preparation to quit. Likewise, suggesting the avoidance of other smokers does not actively engage with the preparation process. Contributing positively to the patient's mindset and readiness to act is essential in the preparation stage, and offering nicotine patches as a cessation aid aligns well with this goal.