American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Practice Exam 2026 - Free ANCC Practice Questions and Study Guide

The most effective approach in this scenario involves advocating for the patient's health while taking their current attitude toward smoking into account. Advising the patient to stop smoking directly addresses a significant risk factor for respiratory issues and overall health. However, it's essential to understand that simply telling a patient to quit smoking often does not lead to immediate compliance, especially if they show no interest in quitting at that moment.

This method can still play a vital role in highlighting the health risks associated with smoking and could plant the seed for future discussions about cessation. While encouraging immediate cessation provides a direct recommendation, its effectiveness may be limited in the context of patient readiness for change. Thus, this response can be viewed as a starting point, allowing for further dialogue and support in future interactions.

Options like prescribing bupropion or recommending low-nicotine cigarettes imply a more aggressive approach to smoking cessation that may not align with the patient's current level of interest or readiness. Similarly, raising the issue of smoking cessation at the next visit represents a more passive strategy, which may not make the most of the opportunity to discuss smoking-related health impacts in this visit. Enhancing the dialogue about smoking during this consult could encourage better self-reflection by the patient if the appropriate emphasis is placed on how their