Mixed Deck — All CHC Topics Flashcards

How does the autonomic nervous system's response relate to stress management coaching?

Answer: Understanding fight-or-flight versus rest-and-digest responses helps coaches teach clients to activate relaxation responses

Understanding fight-or-flight (sympathetic) versus rest-and-digest (parasympathetic) responses helps coaches teach clients techniques that activate the relaxation response, reducing stress.

How does gratitude practice contribute to stress reduction in health coaching?

Answer: Regular gratitude practice shifts focus from stressors to positive aspects, improving mood, sleep, and psychological resilience

Research shows regular gratitude practice shifts cognitive focus, improves mood, enhances sleep quality, and builds psychological resilience, making it an evidence-based stress reduction tool.

Which dietary guidelines serve as the primary reference for US health coaches?

Answer: The Dietary Guidelines for Americans published by USDA and HHS

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, published jointly by the USDA and HHS every five years, serve as the evidence-based foundation for general nutrition guidance in health coaching.

What is the most effective approach to helping clients improve their eating habits?

Answer: Guiding clients to make gradual, sustainable changes that align with their preferences and lifestyle

Gradual, sustainable changes aligned with client preferences and lifestyle are most effective because they are maintainable long-term and build positive relationships with food.

A client says they use their phone in bed for an hour before sleep. What should a health coach advise?

Answer: Blue light from screens suppresses melatonin and should be avoided 30–60 minutes before bed

Blue light emitted by screens inhibits melatonin production, delaying sleep onset and reducing overall sleep quality.

A health coach disagrees with a client's dietary choice that is culturally significant to the client. The coach should:

Answer: Respect the client's cultural values and explore goals within their chosen framework

Cultural competence requires coaches to respect client values and work within the client's own context.

How should a CHC handle a client who sets unrealistic health goals?

Answer: Collaboratively explore the goals, help the client understand potential barriers, and guide them toward achievable milestones

Collaboratively exploring goals helps clients understand potential barriers while guiding them toward achievable milestones, maintaining motivation and building self-efficacy.

A health coach receives a subpoena requesting client session records. The coach should:

Answer: Consult with a legal professional before releasing any confidential client information

Legal demands for confidential records require professional legal guidance before any disclosure is made.

How should a CHC help a sedentary client begin an exercise routine?

Answer: Begin with small, achievable increments that build gradually, focusing on activities the client enjoys

Starting with small, achievable increments that build gradually while focusing on enjoyable activities maximizes adherence and reduces injury risk for previously sedentary clients.

Which element is MOST important when writing a client health coaching proposal for a new corporate account?

Answer: Clearly outlining the program goals, session structure, measurable outcomes, and coach qualifications

A strong proposal demonstrates professional credibility by aligning program design with organizational goals and specifying how outcomes will be measured.

What approach helps minimize client resistance during coaching sessions?

Answer: Using affirmations

Using affirmations involves recognizing and acknowledging the client's strengths, efforts, and positive qualities. This approach helps build self-efficacy, fosters a positive coaching relationship, and reduces resistance by validating the client's experiences and capabilities. Affirmations empower clients and encourage them to continue their efforts towards change.

What is a key feature of client-centered coaching?

Answer: Focuses on client-driven goals and values

Client-centered coaching places the client at the heart of the process, empowering them to identify their own goals, values, and motivations for change. The coach acts as a facilitator, supporting the client's autonomy and self-discovery rather than imposing an agenda. This approach increases client engagement and the likelihood of sustainable behavior change because the goals are personally meaningful.

A client shares that they recently started taking a new herbal supplement after reading about it online. What is the most appropriate CHC response?

Answer: Discuss the client's goals while encouraging them to consult their physician about the supplement

Health coaches support client autonomy while referring supplement and medication questions to qualified healthcare providers.

What is the importance of hydration education in health coaching?

Answer: Adequate hydration supports energy, cognition, digestion, and exercise performance, making it a fundamental coaching topic

Adequate hydration supports energy levels, cognitive function, digestion, and exercise performance, making hydration education a fundamental and impactful topic in health coaching.

How does physical activity impact mental health, and how should a CHC communicate this to clients?

Answer: Regular exercise reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression, improves mood, and enhances cognitive function through neurobiological mechanisms

Regular exercise reduces anxiety and depression symptoms, improves mood through endorphin release, and enhances cognitive function, providing powerful mental health benefits coaches should communicate.

What is 'sleep debt' in the context of health coaching?

Answer: The cumulative effect of not getting enough sleep over time

Sleep debt is the accumulated shortfall when a person consistently sleeps less than their body needs, leading to cognitive and physical impairments.

A client works night shifts and struggles with daytime sleep. As a health coach, which strategy is MOST appropriate to recommend?

Answer: Suggest blackout curtains, earplugs, and a consistent daytime sleep schedule

Environmental modifications like blackout curtains and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule help shift workers align their circadian rhythm with an atypical schedule.

When designing a 12-week health coaching program, which element is MOST critical to include at the outset?

Answer: A comprehensive intake assessment and individualized goal-setting session

Starting with a thorough intake and collaborative goal-setting ensures the program is client-centered, culturally relevant, and aligned with the client's intrinsic motivation.

Which technique reflects the client’s statement to show understanding and build trust?

Answer: Reflective listening

Reflective listening is a core skill in coaching and motivational interviewing where the coach paraphrases or repeats what the client has said, often adding a nuance or interpretation. This technique demonstrates empathy, ensures understanding, and encourages the client to elaborate, building trust and rapport. It helps clients feel heard and understood, fostering a safe space for exploration.

In the Transtheoretical Model, what defines the ‘maintenance’ stage?

Answer: Sustaining change for over 6 months

In the Transtheoretical Model of Change, the Maintenance stage is reached when an individual has successfully sustained their new, healthy behavior for at least six months. The focus in this stage is on preventing relapse and solidifying the new lifestyle changes. It requires ongoing commitment and strategies to integrate the behavior into daily life permanently.