Obstetrics & Gynecology>>>>>Preventive Care and Health Maintenance
Question 20#

A 32-year-old woman presents for her yearly examination. She has been smoking one pack of cigarettes a day for the past 12 years. She wants to stop, and you make some recommendations to her.

Which of the following is true regarding smoking cessation in women?

A. Ninety percent of those who stop smoking relapse within 3 months
B. Nicotine replacement in the form of chewing gum or transdermal patches has not been shown to be effective in smoking cessation programs
C. Smokers do not benefit from repeated warnings from their doctor to stop smoking
D. Stopping cold turkey is the only way to successfully achieve smoking cessation
E. No matter how long one has been smoking, smoking cessation appears to improve the health of the lungs

Correct Answer is E

Comment:

Cigarette smoking has been linked to many pathologic conditions, including coronary artery disease, obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer. There are studies that demonstrate that smoking cessation is of benefit to pulmonary health regardless of how long one has smoked. Doctors should repeatedly counsel their patients to stop smoking, and follow-up visits to achieve these goals are effective. The “5 A’s” model is an evidence-based model that may be used successfully to address patient smoking. The 5 A’s are as follows: Ask (about tobacco use), Advise patients who smoke to quit, Assess the patient’s willingness to try to stop smoking, Assist in the attempt to quit for those who are willing, and Arrange follow up. In addition to counseling, all patients should be offered medication to improve quit success and reduce withdrawal symptoms. Medications include nicotine replacement therapy, prescription antidepressants such as bupropion, and varenicline, which blocks the pleasant effects of smoking from the brain.