Fundamentals of Nursing Q 2
Which intervention is an example of primary prevention?
A. Administering digoxin (Lanoxicaps) to a patient with heart failure.
B. Administering measles, mumps, and rubella immunization to an infant.
C. Obtaining a Papanicolaou smear to screen for cervical cancer.
D. Using occupational therapy to help a patient cope with arthritis.
Correct Answer: B. Administering measles, mumps, and rubella immunization to an infant.
Immunizing an infant is an example of primary prevention, which aims to prevent health problems. Primary prevention includes those preventive measures that come before the onset of illness or injury and before the disease process begins. Examples include immunization and taking regular exercise to prevent health problems developing in the future.
Option A: Administering digoxin to treat heart failure and obtaining a smear for a screening test are examples for secondary prevention, which promotes early detection and treatment of disease. Those preventive measures that lead to early diagnosis and prompt treatment of a disease, illness, or injury to prevent more severe problems developing. Here health educators such as Health Extension Practitioners can help individuals acquire the skills of detecting diseases in their early stages.
Option C: Obtaining a Papanicolau smear is a secondary prevention. Secondary prevention includes those preventive measures that lead to early diagnosis and prompt treatment of a disease, illness, or injury. This should limit disability, impairment, or dependency and prevent more severe health problems developing in the future.
Option D: Using occupational therapy to help a patient cope with arthritis is an example of tertiary prevention, which aims to help a patient deal with the residual consequences of a problem or to prevent the problem from recurring. Tertiary prevention includes those preventive measures aimed at rehabilitation following significant illness. At this level, health educators work to retrain, re-educate and rehabilitate the individual who has already had an impairment or disability.