Fitzgerald Nurse Practitioner Practice Test 2025 – Complete Exam Prep

The individual mentioned is in the precontemplation stage of Prochaska's stages of change. In this stage, the person is not yet acknowledging that there is a problem that needs to be addressed; rather, they often believe that they can make changes in their behavior at will, without feeling the need to act upon it just yet. The smoker's belief that he can quit smoking at any time reflects a lack of recognition of the seriousness of his addiction or the need for a structured plan to quit.

In the precontemplation phase, individuals may be unaware of the negative consequences of their behavior or may underestimate the difficulties associated with quitting. They are not actively considering change and often remain in denial about their smoking habits and their impact on health.

Considering the other stages, preparation involves making plans to change, action is taking active steps towards change, and contemplation is when an individual starts to recognize the problem and thinks seriously about making a change, but is not yet ready to commit to action. Therefore, the smoker's belief aligns clearly with the characteristics of precontemplation.