CCS Chronic Disease Self-Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient with COPD reports using rescue inhalers more than twice per week. What does this indicate about their disease management?
- Optimal disease control
- Inadequate disease control requiring reassessment (Correct answer)
- Normal inhaler usage pattern
- The patient is overusing medication unnecessarily
Correct answer: Inadequate disease control requiring reassessment
Using rescue inhalers more than twice weekly signals poor COPD control and warrants a treatment plan review.
Question 2: Which self-monitoring behavior is MOST important for a patient with heart failure to perform daily?
- Measure blood glucose before meals
- Weigh themselves at the same time each morning (Correct answer)
- Count pulse rate for one full minute
- Check oxygen saturation after exercise
Correct answer: Weigh themselves at the same time each morning
Daily morning weight is the most sensitive early indicator of fluid retention in heart failure patients.
Question 3: A patient with rheumatoid arthritis asks when to perform range-of-motion exercises. What is the best recommendation?
- Only during acute flares to reduce joint stiffness immediately
- In the evening when joints are most warmed up from the day
- After warmup in the morning when stiffness is present (Correct answer)
- Avoid all exercise during painful periods
Correct answer: After warmup in the morning when stiffness is present
Morning exercise after gentle warmup helps address morning stiffness while protecting inflamed joints.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of an asthma action plan?
- To document emergency contacts for the patient
- To guide patients in adjusting treatment based on symptom severity (Correct answer)
- To replace the need for follow-up physician appointments
- To record daily peak flow readings for insurance purposes
Correct answer: To guide patients in adjusting treatment based on symptom severity
Asthma action plans empower patients to self-manage by providing step-by-step instructions tied to symptom or peak flow zones.
Question 5: A diabetic patient's A1C is 9.2%. Which self-management area should the care specialist address FIRST?
- Scheduling an eye exam
- Reviewing medication adherence and blood glucose monitoring habits (Correct answer)
- Ordering new diabetic footwear
- Referring immediately to an endocrinologist
Correct answer: Reviewing medication adherence and blood glucose monitoring habits
An A1C of 9.2% indicates poor glycemic control, and assessing adherence to medication and monitoring is the foundational first step.
Question 6: Which technique is MOST effective for helping patients with chronic illness remember to take multiple daily medications?
- Calling the patient twice daily as a reminder
- Linking medication times to existing daily routines (Correct answer)
- Prescribing fewer medications to reduce complexity
- Providing written medication schedules only
Correct answer: Linking medication times to existing daily routines
Habit stacking—linking medications to established routines like meals or brushing teeth—significantly improves adherence.
Question 7: A chronic kidney disease patient is prescribed a low-potassium diet but reports eating bananas daily. What is the care specialist's BEST response?
- Tell the patient bananas are acceptable in small amounts
- Educate the patient that bananas are high in potassium and suggest alternatives (Correct answer)
- Notify the physician to change the dietary restriction
- Document the non-adherence without immediate action
Correct answer: Educate the patient that bananas are high in potassium and suggest alternatives
Bananas are high in potassium and pose a risk to CKD patients; education with alternative suggestions addresses both safety and adherence.
CCS Chronic Disease Self-Management 2
A patient with COPD reports using rescue inhalers more than twice per week.
What does this indicate about their disease management?