EDAPT COMMUNICABLE DISEASE IN THE COMMUNITY
Which infectious disease intervention best represents the use of secondary prevention?
Healthcare workers are required to have a tuberculosis (TB) skin test or chest x-ray.
TB screening for healthcare workers is an example of secondary prevention. TB skin tests and chest x-rays are
methods of tuberculosis screening. Encouraging clients with HIV to use condoms is an example of primary
prevention because the goal is to prevent exposure to partners. Encouraging annual influenza vaccinations is
also an example of primary prevention. Giving clients with HIV medications is an example of tertiary
prevention because the goal is to reduce complications in those already having the infection.
A community health nurse wants to develop activities and programs for a local community that are aimed at
primary level prevention. Which of the following activities or programs should the nurse consider? Select all
that apply.
Primary prevention activities are geared toward the prevention of the initial occurrence of disease or injury
and refer to interventions that occur before the disease develops. Primary prevention activities include
providing all immunizations, smoking cessation education, prenatal classes and family planning, sex education,
nutrition education, communicable disease prevention education, educating about health and hygiene issues
to specific groups (daycare workers, restaurant workers), and advocating for equitable access to health care
and healthy environments.
Secondary prevention is aimed at early detection and treatment of a disease with the goal of limiting the
severity and adverse effects. Secondary prevention activities include any screenings (e.g., hypertension,
diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, tuberculosis, lead exposure, genetic disorders/metabolic deficiencies
in newborns), cancer screenings (breast, cervical, testicular, prostate, colorectal), community assessments,
disease surveillance for communicable diseases, and control of outbreaks of communicable diseases.
Tertiary prevention focuses on the limitation of disability and the rehabilitation of those with irreversible
diseases. Giving clients with HIV medications is an example of tertiary prevention because the goal is to reduce
complications in those already having the infection.