Which statement by a newly licensed nurse indicates a need for further teaching regarding disease prevention?

Which statement by a newly licensed nurse indicates a need for further teaching regarding disease prevention?

• A. Tertiary prevention identifies an illness early and begins treatment.
• B. The goal of primary prevention is to prevent illness occurrence.
• C. There are three levels of disease prevention.
• D. Secondary prevention focuses on early-detection strategies.

Answer: (A)

The statement regarding tertiary prevention indicates a need for further teaching because it misrepresents the primary purpose of this level of prevention. Tertiary prevention is concerned with managing and mitigating the effects of an established disease or condition. Its focus is on rehabilitation and preventing complications after a disease has already occurred. This may include interventions to improve quality of life for individuals living with chronic conditions, rather than detecting an illness early or beginning treatment, which aligns more closely with secondary prevention. Understanding the distinctions between the levels of disease prevention is crucial for proper patient care. Primary prevention aims to prevent the onset of disease, secondary prevention seeks to detect diseases early through screenings and early intervention, while tertiary prevention deals with managing established diseases to minimize impact on the patient's health. This foundational knowledge is key to effective healthcare practice.

The statement regarding tertiary prevention indicates a need for further teaching because it misrepresents the primary purpose of this level of prevention. Tertiary prevention is concerned with managing and mitigating the effects of an established disease or condition. Its focus is on rehabilitation and preventing complications after a disease has already occurred. This may include interventions to improve quality of life for individuals living with chronic conditions, rather than detecting an illness early or beginning treatment, which aligns more closely with secondary prevention.

Understanding the distinctions between the levels of disease prevention is crucial for proper patient care. Primary prevention aims to prevent the onset of disease, secondary prevention seeks to detect diseases early through screenings and early intervention, while tertiary prevention deals with managing established diseases to minimize impact on the patient's health. This foundational knowledge is key to effective healthcare practice.