CHC Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CHC facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. A client recovering from intense athletic training reports poor sleep and muscle soreness. What sleep-related coaching strategy supports recovery? → Prioritize 8–10 hours of sleep and add a short daytime nap
2. Beneficence as an ethical principle in health coaching means: → Actively working to promote the client's well-being and best interests
3. When a health coach stores client session notes digitally, the primary ethical obligation is to: → Ensure notes are password-protected and stored securely to maintain confidentiality
4. Which of the following BEST describes the role of active listening in health coaching? → Fully attending to verbal and nonverbal cues and reflecting meaning back to the client
5. When a health coach summarizes a session, the PRIMARY purpose is to: → Consolidate key themes, commitments, and insights to reinforce the client's understanding
6. A client drinks coffee at 4 PM and reports trouble sleeping. What should a health coach explain about caffeine? → Caffeine has a half-life of about 5–6 hours and can delay sleep onset
7. Decisional balance, a key concept in the Transtheoretical Model, refers to: → Weighing the pros and cons of changing a behavior
8. What is 'sleep debt' in the context of health coaching? → The cumulative effect of not getting enough sleep over time
9. A client asks why their doctor recommended the DASH diet. Which condition is the DASH diet specifically designed to address? → Hypertension and cardiovascular risk
10. A client with metabolic syndrome is confused about which blood marker to monitor most closely for insulin resistance. What should the health coach explain? → Fasting triglyceride and HDL ratio
11. A 55-year-old male client has a BMI of 31 and a waist circumference of 42 inches. Why is waist circumference an important additional measure? → It identifies visceral adiposity, which independently predicts cardiometabolic risk
12. Which question is MOST useful for identifying a client's readiness to change a specific health behavior? → On a scale of 1–10, how important is it for you to make this change right now?
13. A client says, 'I know I should exercise, but I just can't seem to start.' This statement BEST illustrates: → Ambivalence about behavior change
14. Which population-level intervention has demonstrated the greatest impact on reducing tobacco-related chronic disease at the community level? → Comprehensive smoke-free legislation and tobacco taxation
15. A client says 'I know I should exercise, but I just can't find the time.' This statement is best classified as: → Sustain talk – ability
16. A health coach is working with a client to reduce sodium intake. Which food category contributes the largest proportion of sodium in the typical American diet? → Processed and packaged foods
17. What is a common coaching approach for encouraging long-term behavior change? → Establishing SMART goals
18. Which behavioral change technique is MOST effective when a client consistently fails to meet their physical activity goals? → Use motivational interviewing to explore ambivalence
19. Which scenario demonstrates effective use of affirmations in health coaching? → 'I noticed you tracked your meals every day this week despite a very hectic schedule.'
20. What is the role of fiber in chronic disease prevention, and how much does the average American consume daily versus the recommended amount? → Fiber reduces CVD and T2D risk; Americans average ~15g vs. 25–38g recommended
21. According to the Relapse Prevention Model developed by Marlatt and Gordon, a 'high-risk situation' is best defined as: → A situation that threatens the individual's sense of control and increases risk of relapse
22. In the Transtheoretical Model, a person who has maintained a new behavior for more than six months is in which stage? → Maintenance
23. A client who exercises only because their doctor said to is demonstrating which type of motivation in Self-Determination Theory? → External regulation
24. Which of the following is a violation of a health coach’s ethical responsibilities? → Prescribing dietary supplements
25. A client wants to reduce their risk of colorectal cancer. Which lifestyle factor has the strongest evidence for primary prevention? → Regular physical activity and limiting red/processed meat intake
26. What does the Social-Ecological Model emphasize about chronic disease prevention? → Health behaviors are shaped by individual, interpersonal, community, and societal factors
27. Which element distinguishes a SMART health goal from a general health intention? → It includes a specific, measurable action with a defined time frame
28. What validated tool is commonly used to assess a client's readiness to change health behaviors? → Stages of Change (Transtheoretical Model)
29. Which legal structure provides the most personal liability protection for a solo health coaching practice? → Limited Liability Company (LLC)
30. What is the primary purpose of a coaching agreement or contract with a client? → To establish roles, responsibilities, boundaries, confidentiality, and payment terms