Smoking Cessation

Question 1

What is the framework for smoking cessation ? (4)

Answer 1

A BRA
Ask and assess current level of smoking 
Benefits of stopping smoking 
Risks of continuing to smoke 
Advice to help stop smoking

Question 2

What does the ask and asses the current level of smoking involve ? (4)

Answer 2

1. Age of onset and pack years: how many a day and for how long ? 2. Previous attempts to stop smoking and how they did it ?; 3. if successful, why did they start smoking again ?
2. Feelings and motivations regarding smoking cessation

Question 3

3 benefits of stopping smoking

Answer 3

1. Save money, 2. Improves your health by reducing your risk of lung, throat and stomach cancer, heart attacks and strokes. Improves breathing and reduces coughing; 3. Less stigmatisation

Question 4

3 risks of continuing to smoke

Answer 4

1. Expensive 2. Increase you risk of lung, throat and stomach cancer, heart attacks and strokes, 3. Increase your risk of COPD

Question 5

Advice to help stop smoking (5)

Answer 5

1. Gradual vs cold turkey
2. Referral to specialist stop smoking clinic where nurse can assist and monitor your progress
3. Initial side effects: cravings, weight gain/increase in appetite, irritability and frustrated
4. Identify triggers and tries to avoid them: keeping busy, regular exercises and avoid social circumstances where you are encouraged to smoke.
5. Offer nicotine replacement therapy: patches, lozenges, inhalers and e-cigarettes; SEs: headache, nausea, palpitations

Question 6

Medication to help with cravings

Answer 6

Buspropion: which reduces cravings but increase your risk of seizures