Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) Practice Exam

What stage of change is indicated by a person sticking with a meal plan learned from a diabetes clinic visit?

1. Precontemplation

2. Contemplation

3. Preparation

4. Maintenance

The correct answer is: Preparation

The stage of change indicated by a person sticking with a meal plan learned from a diabetes clinic visit is Maintenance. This stage is characterized by individuals who have successfully implemented a behavior change and are actively working to maintain that change over time. In the context of diabetes management, adhering to a meal plan signifies a commitment to sustaining healthy eating habits and is a crucial part of long-term management. The Maintenance stage typically follows earlier stages, such as Preparation, where individuals may have explored options and made plans to change their behavior but may not have fully committed to lasting change yet. Sticking with a meal plan demonstrates not just an intention to change but an established routine that supports that change, reflecting the ability to integrate these new behaviors into daily life. In contrast, Precontemplation and Contemplation stages are preliminary stages where individuals either are unaware of the need for change or are considering the change but have not yet taken steps to implement a plan. The act of sticking to a meal plan clearly signifies that the person has moved beyond these early stages and is focused on maintaining their diabetes management strategies.