NBC-HWC EXAM 2025 — MIDTERM PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS (GRADED A+ PRACTICE MATERIAL)
Coaches are often taught to allow for a longer than normal silence after asking a
question to a client. This is sometimes referred to as the pregnant pause. Which
of the following is the main reason why the pregnant pause is recommended?
a. It gives the coach time to take a small break
b. It gives the client an opportunity to process the question and connect to the answer at
a deeper level
c. It gives the coach time to decide on the next evocative question to ask
d. It helps the client address their sustain talk -
e. Answer-b. It gives the client an opportunity to process the question and
connect to the answer at a deeper level
Building trust and rapport is an ongoing and important aspect of the coaching
relationship. Which of the following is NOT a strategy for building trust and
rapport with a client?
a. Hold the client in unconditional positive regard
b. Let the client find the answers
c. Over-promise and under-deliver
d. Be a humble role model -
e. Answer-c. Over-promise and under-deliver
You are coaching a group of people who have various forms of arthritis and
fibromyalgia. Many of the members have shared that they struggle to be
physically active and are distressed because it has led to weight gain and
some have even become obese. You ask if they would like to brainstorm ways
to
i
n order to help self-manage their symptoms, pain and stiffness.
a. Meditate
b. Manage stress
c. Increase their physical activity
d. Go on disability
e. Use assistive devices -
f. Answer-c. Increase their physical activity
A 37-year-old Hispanic woman seeks you out to coach her. She complains that
she hasn't been feeling well, she is usually tired, and she wants to lose weight.
She is disappointed and somewhat concerned by the news from her recent
physical that her fasting blood sugar level was 112 mg/dL. Her doctor told her to
make some changes and come back in 3 months. She says she doesn't know
where to start. All of the following are considerations and strategies using the
coach approach EXCEPT which selection?
a. She is prediabetic.
b. She could prevent progression to Type 2 diabetes if she makes some lifestyle
changes.
c. You would like to learn about her relationship to physical activity
d. You would like to learn what success she has had in the past with lifestyle change.
,e. You would share more information about the risks of Type 2 diabetes given her
current concern. -
f. Answer-e. You would share more information about the risks of Type 2 diabetes
given her current concern.
A client who is trying to arrive at a goal for his exercise plan is confused by the
information he has found online. He asks that you share what you know about
how much cardiovascular exercise is recommended for someone who wants to
improve his health. According to the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for
Americans, which of the following is the most accurate information regarding
the minimum recommendation for adults to get "important health benefits"?
a. 60 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity or an equivalent combination of
moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic activity.
b. 10 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per day.
c. 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous -
intensity, or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous- intensity aerobic
activity.
d. Some type of cardiovascular exercise on 3-5 days per week. -
e. Answer-c. 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity, or 75 minutes a week of
vigorous -intensity, or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous- intensity
aerobic activity.
Which of the following is true about activity tracking tools?
a. Some of the features most important for client success are action
planning/implementation (goal setting), environmental restructuring, attitude adjustment,
barrier identification and social support.
b. Most apps provide full training plans - an explanation of how to choose the workouts
and how to organize them in a week.
c. Most apps are primarily designed for people just starting out with exercise.
d. Only about 10% of smartphone users have downloaded a fitness app. -
e. Answer-a. Some of the features most important for client success are action
planning/implementation (goal setting), environmental restructuring, attitude adjustment,
barrier identification and social support.
Laura is an NBC-HWC health coach with an office in her home where she sees
clients. She keeps her laptop and client files in a cabinet in her office. She has a
strict policy of never discussing her clients and has instructed her family never to
look at any client information on her laptop or in her physical files. Laura is in
violation of what?
a. HIPAA Basic Principle
b. NBC-HWC Code of Ethics
c. HIPAA Privacy Practices Notice
d. HIPAA Data Safeguards -
e. Answer-d. HIPAA Data Safeguards
Harvard's Healthy Eating Plate position on carbohydrates, based on the available
research, includes all of the following statements EXCEPT for which selection?
a. Some carbohydrates have a gentler effect on blood glucose than other types NBC-
HWC Code of Ethics
, b. Some foods rich in carbohydrates contain chemicals important to health HIPAA Data
Safeguards
c. The amount of carbohydrates matters more than the type of carbohydrates
d. Whole grains are healthier than refined grains
e. Some carbohydrate foods are good sources of fiber, vitamins, minerals and
phytochemicals -
f. Answer-c. The amount of carbohydrates matters more than the type of carbohydrates
A 43-year old woman comes to you for coaching. She reports that her body mass
index is 27.7 and her doctor recommended she make some lifestyle changes.
What do you know regarding her BMI?
a. She is underweight
b. She needs to lose weight in order to lower her risk of comorbidities
c. Her BMI puts her in the overweight category
d. She will have difficulty starting an exercise program due to stress on her joints
e. This is a situation when it is necessary to share information about the risks of obesity.
-
Answer-c. Her BMI puts her in the overweight category
As part of the coaching agreement, a coach offers an additional 3 coaching
sessions for free if the client purchases a massage package from them as well.
a. Acceptable because the additional coaching sessions are free
b. Unacceptable because the offer is a conflict of interest per the NBHWC Code of
Ethics
c. Acceptable given the 3 free sessions were included as part of the coaching
agreement.
d. Unacceptable as it is a violation of the professional code of conduct at large per the
NBHWC Code of Ethics -
e. Answer-b. Unacceptable because the offer is a conflict of interest per the NBHWC
Code of Ethics
A client has just completed their well-being assessment prior to their first
coaching session. The client's biometric information included the following:
Male
Age: 45
Nurse
Blood Pressure: 110/70
mmHG Total Cholesterol: 185
ml/dL BMI: 24
Fruits/Vegetables: 9 servings per day
Physical activity: Runs 2x week for 30
minutes
Which of the following would be the most concerning to the coach in the context
of recommended health guidelines?
a. Blood pressure
b. Total cholesterol
c. Fruits/Vegetable intake
d. Physical activity level -
e. Answer-d. Physical activity level
VERIFIED ANSWERS (GRADED A+ PRACTICE MATERIAL)
Coaches are often taught to allow for a longer than normal silence after asking a
question to a client. This is sometimes referred to as the pregnant pause. Which
of the following is the main reason why the pregnant pause is recommended?
a. It gives the coach time to take a small break
b. It gives the client an opportunity to process the question and connect to the answer at
a deeper level
c. It gives the coach time to decide on the next evocative question to ask
d. It helps the client address their sustain talk -
e. Answer-b. It gives the client an opportunity to process the question and
connect to the answer at a deeper level
Building trust and rapport is an ongoing and important aspect of the coaching
relationship. Which of the following is NOT a strategy for building trust and
rapport with a client?
a. Hold the client in unconditional positive regard
b. Let the client find the answers
c. Over-promise and under-deliver
d. Be a humble role model -
e. Answer-c. Over-promise and under-deliver
You are coaching a group of people who have various forms of arthritis and
fibromyalgia. Many of the members have shared that they struggle to be
physically active and are distressed because it has led to weight gain and
some have even become obese. You ask if they would like to brainstorm ways
to
i
n order to help self-manage their symptoms, pain and stiffness.
a. Meditate
b. Manage stress
c. Increase their physical activity
d. Go on disability
e. Use assistive devices -
f. Answer-c. Increase their physical activity
A 37-year-old Hispanic woman seeks you out to coach her. She complains that
she hasn't been feeling well, she is usually tired, and she wants to lose weight.
She is disappointed and somewhat concerned by the news from her recent
physical that her fasting blood sugar level was 112 mg/dL. Her doctor told her to
make some changes and come back in 3 months. She says she doesn't know
where to start. All of the following are considerations and strategies using the
coach approach EXCEPT which selection?
a. She is prediabetic.
b. She could prevent progression to Type 2 diabetes if she makes some lifestyle
changes.
c. You would like to learn about her relationship to physical activity
d. You would like to learn what success she has had in the past with lifestyle change.
,e. You would share more information about the risks of Type 2 diabetes given her
current concern. -
f. Answer-e. You would share more information about the risks of Type 2 diabetes
given her current concern.
A client who is trying to arrive at a goal for his exercise plan is confused by the
information he has found online. He asks that you share what you know about
how much cardiovascular exercise is recommended for someone who wants to
improve his health. According to the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for
Americans, which of the following is the most accurate information regarding
the minimum recommendation for adults to get "important health benefits"?
a. 60 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity or an equivalent combination of
moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic activity.
b. 10 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per day.
c. 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous -
intensity, or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous- intensity aerobic
activity.
d. Some type of cardiovascular exercise on 3-5 days per week. -
e. Answer-c. 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity, or 75 minutes a week of
vigorous -intensity, or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous- intensity
aerobic activity.
Which of the following is true about activity tracking tools?
a. Some of the features most important for client success are action
planning/implementation (goal setting), environmental restructuring, attitude adjustment,
barrier identification and social support.
b. Most apps provide full training plans - an explanation of how to choose the workouts
and how to organize them in a week.
c. Most apps are primarily designed for people just starting out with exercise.
d. Only about 10% of smartphone users have downloaded a fitness app. -
e. Answer-a. Some of the features most important for client success are action
planning/implementation (goal setting), environmental restructuring, attitude adjustment,
barrier identification and social support.
Laura is an NBC-HWC health coach with an office in her home where she sees
clients. She keeps her laptop and client files in a cabinet in her office. She has a
strict policy of never discussing her clients and has instructed her family never to
look at any client information on her laptop or in her physical files. Laura is in
violation of what?
a. HIPAA Basic Principle
b. NBC-HWC Code of Ethics
c. HIPAA Privacy Practices Notice
d. HIPAA Data Safeguards -
e. Answer-d. HIPAA Data Safeguards
Harvard's Healthy Eating Plate position on carbohydrates, based on the available
research, includes all of the following statements EXCEPT for which selection?
a. Some carbohydrates have a gentler effect on blood glucose than other types NBC-
HWC Code of Ethics
, b. Some foods rich in carbohydrates contain chemicals important to health HIPAA Data
Safeguards
c. The amount of carbohydrates matters more than the type of carbohydrates
d. Whole grains are healthier than refined grains
e. Some carbohydrate foods are good sources of fiber, vitamins, minerals and
phytochemicals -
f. Answer-c. The amount of carbohydrates matters more than the type of carbohydrates
A 43-year old woman comes to you for coaching. She reports that her body mass
index is 27.7 and her doctor recommended she make some lifestyle changes.
What do you know regarding her BMI?
a. She is underweight
b. She needs to lose weight in order to lower her risk of comorbidities
c. Her BMI puts her in the overweight category
d. She will have difficulty starting an exercise program due to stress on her joints
e. This is a situation when it is necessary to share information about the risks of obesity.
-
Answer-c. Her BMI puts her in the overweight category
As part of the coaching agreement, a coach offers an additional 3 coaching
sessions for free if the client purchases a massage package from them as well.
a. Acceptable because the additional coaching sessions are free
b. Unacceptable because the offer is a conflict of interest per the NBHWC Code of
Ethics
c. Acceptable given the 3 free sessions were included as part of the coaching
agreement.
d. Unacceptable as it is a violation of the professional code of conduct at large per the
NBHWC Code of Ethics -
e. Answer-b. Unacceptable because the offer is a conflict of interest per the NBHWC
Code of Ethics
A client has just completed their well-being assessment prior to their first
coaching session. The client's biometric information included the following:
Male
Age: 45
Nurse
Blood Pressure: 110/70
mmHG Total Cholesterol: 185
ml/dL BMI: 24
Fruits/Vegetables: 9 servings per day
Physical activity: Runs 2x week for 30
minutes
Which of the following would be the most concerning to the coach in the context
of recommended health guidelines?
a. Blood pressure
b. Total cholesterol
c. Fruits/Vegetable intake
d. Physical activity level -
e. Answer-d. Physical activity level
