Primary prevention prevents disease: immunizations, seat belts, nutrition, and exercise.
Before you read
Test yourself first: 5 questions
Question 1 of 5
A nurse is counseling parents about safe sleep to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Which instruction is correct?
Answer: A. Infants should be placed on their back (supine) to sleep on a firm surface, with no soft bedding, pillows, or bumpers in the crib. Side and prone positions and soft bedding increase SIDS risk. This back-to-sleep guidance is a core health-promotion teaching point.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse teaches a postmenopausal client about cardiovascular health. The teaching should include:
Answer: B. After menopause, cardiovascular risk rises — encourage a heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, blood-pressure and lipid monitoring, smoking cessation, and weight management. Ignoring risk factors increases events.
Question 3 of 5
An older adult is at risk for social isolation. The nurse promotes well-being by:
Answer: B. Encourage social engagement (community programs, family, faith groups), physical activity, and meaningful roles, and screen for depression. Encouraging isolation worsens mood and health.
Question 4 of 5
Which exercise teaching is appropriate for a healthy older adult?
Answer: B. Aim for ~150 minutes/week of moderate aerobic activity plus balance and strength work to reduce falls; start gradually and stay hydrated.
Question 5 of 5
A healthcare worker has a documented exposure to hepatitis B from a needlestick and has never been vaccinated. Which postexposure intervention should the nurse anticipate?
Answer: B. For an unvaccinated worker exposed to hepatitis B, postexposure prophylaxis includes hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) for immediate passive immunity plus initiation of the hepatitis B vaccine series for active immunity. Antibiotics do not treat a viral exposure, hepatitis A vaccine is unrelated, and simply observing without prophylaxis leaves the worker unprotected.
Keep the streak going with more questions like these, each with a full rationale.
What is health promotion across lifespan?
Primary prevention stops disease before it starts, secondary detects it early, and tertiary limits complications of existing disease. Nursing tailors interventions to each developmental stage.
Key points to remember
- Primary prevention prevents disease: immunizations, seat belts, nutrition, and exercise.
- Secondary prevention detects early disease: screenings like mammograms, blood pressure checks, and Pap tests.
- Tertiary prevention limits damage from established disease: rehabilitation and chronic disease management.
- Infant and child promotion centers on immunizations, injury prevention, and nutrition.
- Adult promotion centers on screening, lifestyle, and stress and chronic disease management.
- Older adult promotion centers on fall prevention, immunizations, and functional independence.
Nursing priorities
- Classify and select interventions by level of prevention for each patient.
- Verify age-appropriate immunizations and screenings are current.
- Counsel on modifiable risk factors: diet, exercise, tobacco, and alcohol.
- Provide anticipatory guidance specific to the patient's developmental stage.
- Connect patients to community resources for ongoing health maintenance.
Patient teaching
- Explain the difference between preventing disease, finding it early, and managing existing disease.
- Reinforce that healthy lifestyle choices reduce risk at every age.
Red flags: report now
- A missed or overdue cancer screening or immunization in a high-risk patient is followed up promptly.
- New or worsening symptoms during a wellness visit take priority over routine promotion activities.
References
Clinical references for this topic
