Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) Practice Exam

What stage of change in the transtheoretical model most accurately describes a patient who has recognized the need to make changes but has not yet acted?

1. Precontemplation

2. Contemplation

3. Preparation

4. Action

The correct answer is: Preparation

The stage of change that best describes a patient who has recognized the need to make changes but has not yet acted is the Preparation stage. In this stage, individuals are aware of their issues and are getting ready to take action. They have typically acknowledged that change is necessary and are often considering how to proceed, especially in terms of planning and strategizing their next steps. This might involve gathering information, seeking support, or making specific plans to implement changes to their behavior. In contrast, the Precontemplation stage is for those who are not yet considering change, while in the Contemplation stage, individuals are thinking about change but have not committed to any specific plans. The Action stage, on the other hand, involves implementing the necessary changes and actively working towards the desired behavior. Therefore, the Preparation stage serves as a critical transitional phase where acknowledgment of the need for change is coupled with the beginnings of planning for that change to occur.