Which option correctly lists the five A's in order?

• A. Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, Arrange
• B. Advise, Ask, Assess, Assist, Arrange
• C. Ask, Assess, Advise, Arrange, Assist
• D. Ask, Advise, Arrange, Assess, Assist

Answer: (A)

The five A’s model for tobacco cessation guides clinicians from identifying a smoker to supporting ongoing abstinence, in a specific sequence: Ask about tobacco use, Advise to quit with a clear, personalized message, Assess readiness to quit, Assist with quitting strategies, and Arrange follow-up support. This order matters because you first identify who needs help, then motivate them to quit, then determine their readiness to change so you tailor the next steps, provide concrete help (like a quit plan or medications), and finally set up follow-up to sustain progress and handle challenges.

Starting with advising would push guidance to quit before you’ve confirmed tobacco use, which can miss or misclassify patients. Other sequences that rearrange readiness, assistance, or follow-up can skip essential alignment with the patient’s current status, making the intervention less effective. The correct progression is to ask, advise, assess, assist, and arrange.