Smoking Cessation Management

Build a treatment plan that combines counseling technique and pharmacologic options for a patient who wants to quit smoking.

Practice this in the app More Primary care tracks

What this track covers

This track covers nicotine dependence, withdrawal, and the behavioral and pharmacologic tools used to support a quit attempt. It emphasizes matching counseling approach and medication choice to an individual patient's history, motivation, and prior quit attempts.

What you will practice

Assess nicotine dependence and readiness to quit
Apply motivational interviewing to a patient ambivalent about quitting
Choose between nicotine replacement, varenicline, and bupropion based on patient factors
Recognize and manage common withdrawal symptoms
Design a relapse-prevention follow-up plan

Simulator scenario

A patient with a long smoking history and a prior failed quit attempt returns for a visit to discuss trying again.

Board question topics

Mechanism and side effects of nicotine replacement therapy
Varenicline dosing considerations and precautions
Bupropion contraindications
Behavioral counseling frameworks for tobacco cessation

Ask the tutor

What does the FDA label say about combining nicotine replacement products?Opens the tutor · answers cite their sources What are contraindications for varenicline in a patient with psychiatric history?Opens the tutor · answers cite their sources What do current guidelines recommend for counseling intensity alongside medication?Opens the tutor · answers cite their sources

The tutor only answers from licensed sources (FDA prescribing information, public guidelines and our own material) and says when it has none. Educational use only, never patient-specific advice.

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