Which term describes a patient who knows about a problem but does not take action?

• A. Self-Interest
• B. Awareness
• C. Involvement
• D. Action

Answer: (B)

Understanding patient readiness to change helps explain this scenario. When a patient is aware of a problem, they recognize that it exists and understand its implications, but they have not yet taken any steps to address it. This is the awareness stage: knowledge of the issue without action.

So why is awareness the best fit here? Because the key element is knowledge without behavior change. The patient knows there is a problem, but there’s no move toward seeking care, modifying habits, or planning next steps. The other terms imply some level of engagement or movement beyond mere knowledge: self-interest centers on personal motivation to benefit, involvement suggests active participation or commitment, and action means actually taking steps to address the problem.