In the transtheoretical model of health behavior change, which stage describes a client who has not started walking 30 minutes daily and exercising five days a week?

• A. Precontemplation
• B. Contemplation
• C. Preparation
• D. Action

Answer: (A)

This item is testing readiness to change in the transtheoretical model. Precontemplation describes someone who has not yet started the healthy behavior and does not intend to start in the near term. Since the client has not begun walking 30 minutes daily or exercising five days a week and there’s no stated plan to begin, this fits precontemplation. Contemplation would involve thinking about making a change within the next six months, preparation would mean planning to start soon (often within 30 days) with some steps taken, and action means the new behavior has already begun recently.