Question

You ask CC about her social history. She tells you she is not interested in quitting smoking. Which of the following would be an appropriate response to CC's unwillingness to quit smoking?

A) Confront her about the dangers and risks of continued cigarette use in patients with asthma
B) Recommend a nicotine replacement product that requires frequent administration
C) Use motivational interviewing techniques to identify why CC is reluctant to quit smoking
D) Simply do nothing; CC will decide to quit only when she is ready

Answer 1

Using motivational interviewing techniques is an appropriate response to CC's reluctance to quit smoking, as it encourages self-motivation and empowerment to change, rather than being confrontational or recommending nicotine replacement therapy without understanding her reasons for smoking.

Step-by-step explanation:

In response to CC's unwillingness to quit smoking, it would be appropriate to use motivational interviewing techniques to identify why CC is reluctant to quit smoking. This approach is non-confrontational, collaborative, and aims to increase CC's motivation to change by helping her explore and resolve ambivalence towards quitting. It respects CC's autonomy and personal values, unlike confrontational methods that may cause resistance.

Moreover, while nicotine replacement therapy can be beneficial, it's known that many individuals return to smoking within a year, so recommending it without first addressing CC's hesitations may not be the most effective initial approach. Education on the risks alone has also proved to be minimally effective in convincing individuals to stop smoking, as many are already aware but continue due to the highly addictive nature of nicotine, which is more addictive than other substances and significantly impacts the cardiovascular system and increases the risk of various cancers and respiratory diseases like COPD.