CCS Chronic Disease Self-Management 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is a key component of the Chronic Care Model?
- Physician-directed care with minimal patient input
- Self-management support as a core element of care delivery (Correct answer)
- Acute-care focused hospital interventions
- Reducing patient visits to lower healthcare costs
Correct answer: Self-management support as a core element of care delivery
The Chronic Care Model explicitly includes self-management support as one of its six essential elements for effective chronic disease care.
Question 2: A patient with type 2 diabetes has a foot ulcer they have been self-treating for two weeks without improvement. What is the care specialist's priority action?
- Recommend continued home wound care with improved technique
- Advise the patient to wear looser footwear
- Ensure the patient receives immediate medical evaluation (Correct answer)
- Suggest an over-the-counter topical antibiotic
Correct answer: Ensure the patient receives immediate medical evaluation
Diabetic foot ulcers that do not improve within two weeks require urgent medical evaluation to prevent serious complications including amputation.
Question 3: What does 'health literacy' mean in the context of chronic disease self-management?
- A patient's ability to read and write at a college level
- The degree to which a patient can obtain, process, and understand health information to make decisions (Correct answer)
- A patient's knowledge of medical terminology
- The ability to navigate online health resources independently
Correct answer: The degree to which a patient can obtain, process, and understand health information to make decisions
Health literacy encompasses the capacity to access, understand, and act on health information—all critical for effective self-management.
Question 4: Which self-management strategy is MOST appropriate for a patient with chronic pain who reports activity avoidance due to fear of worsening pain?
- Complete bed rest until pain subsides
- Graded activity with gradual increase in movement (Correct answer)
- Immediate referral to a pain clinic only
- Prescribing stronger analgesics to enable activity
Correct answer: Graded activity with gradual increase in movement
Graded activity exposure reduces fear-avoidance behavior and is evidence-based for improving function in chronic pain.
Question 5: A patient with hypertension consistently has home blood pressure readings 20 points higher than clinic readings. What should the care specialist suspect?
- The home blood pressure monitor is malfunctioning
- White coat hypertension—blood pressure is likely better controlled than clinic readings suggest
- Masked hypertension—blood pressure is worse at home than in clinic (Correct answer)
- The patient is intentionally recording false values
Correct answer: Masked hypertension—blood pressure is worse at home than in clinic
Higher home readings than clinic readings indicate masked hypertension, where true control is worse than clinic measurements suggest.
Question 6: Which of the following BEST describes motivational interviewing in chronic disease management?
- A directive approach where the provider tells patients what changes to make
- A collaborative conversation that strengthens a patient's own motivation for change (Correct answer)
- A structured lecture format about disease risks
- A technique used only by licensed therapists
Correct answer: A collaborative conversation that strengthens a patient's own motivation for change
Motivational interviewing is a person-centered communication style that elicits and strengthens patients' intrinsic motivation to change.
Question 7: A patient with COPD wants to start a walking program but fears breathlessness. What is the BEST advice from a care specialist?
- Avoid walking programs since breathlessness indicates danger
- Begin with very short walks and gradually increase duration as tolerated (Correct answer)
- Walk only when using supplemental oxygen
- Consult a pulmonologist before any physical activity
Correct answer: Begin with very short walks and gradually increase duration as tolerated
Gradual aerobic exercise is beneficial for COPD patients; starting with brief intervals and progressing builds tolerance safely.
CCS Chronic Disease Self-Management 3
Which of the following is a key component of the Chronic Care Model?