ACE Client Interview and Screening 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which component of the client intake process is specifically designed to protect the trainer legally by documenting the client's awareness of exercise risks?
- Health-history questionnaire
- Informed consent (Correct answer)
- SOAP notes
- Medical clearance form
Correct answer: Informed consent
Informed consent documents that the client understands and voluntarily accepts the inherent risks of exercise before participation.
Question 2: A trainer notices a client's resting blood pressure is 152/94 mmHg on two separate occasions. This is classified as:
- Elevated (pre-hypertension)
- Stage 1 hypertension (Correct answer)
- Stage 2 hypertension
- Hypertensive crisis
Correct answer: Stage 1 hypertension
Stage 1 hypertension is defined as systolic 130–139 mmHg or diastolic 80–89 mmHg; 152/94 meets Stage 2 criteria—reconsider staging.
Question 3: When asking open-ended questions during a client interview, the trainer's primary goal is to:
- Complete the health-history form faster
- Encourage the client to elaborate on goals and concerns (Correct answer)
- Determine the client's maximum heart rate
- Assess the client's nutritional knowledge
Correct answer: Encourage the client to elaborate on goals and concerns
Open-ended questions invite detailed responses that help the trainer understand the client's motivations, preferences, and barriers.
Question 4: Which type of listening technique involves the trainer restating the client's message in their own words to confirm understanding?
- Active listening
- Reflective listening (Correct answer)
- Empathetic listening
- Selective listening
Correct answer: Reflective listening
Reflective listening involves paraphrasing or mirroring the client's words back to verify the trainer understood the message correctly.
Question 5: A client has a BMI of 31 and no other risk factors. According to ACE risk stratification, the client is classified as:
- Low risk
- Moderate risk (Correct answer)
- High risk
- In need of immediate medical referral
Correct answer: Moderate risk
A BMI ≥ 30 is a positive CVD risk factor; with one risk factor the client is classified as moderate risk per ACE guidelines.
Question 6: Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q)?
- To measure cardiovascular endurance
- To screen individuals for whom exercise may be contraindicated (Correct answer)
- To establish a client's one-repetition maximum
- To document informed consent
Correct answer: To screen individuals for whom exercise may be contraindicated
The PAR-Q is a minimal pre-exercise screening tool to identify individuals who should seek medical advice before becoming more physically active.
Question 7: A client states she wants to lose 20 pounds in one month. The trainer should FIRST:
- Create an aggressive caloric deficit plan
- Use motivational interviewing to explore the client's reasons and set realistic expectations (Correct answer)
- Refer the client to a registered dietitian
- Decline to work with the client
Correct answer: Use motivational interviewing to explore the client's reasons and set realistic expectations
Motivational interviewing helps uncover the client's deeper motivations and guides collaborative, realistic goal-setting rather than dictating unrealistic plans.
ACE Client Interview and Screening 3
Which component of the client intake process is specifically designed to protect the trainer legally by documenting the client's awareness of exercise risks?