Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

What term best describes a woman who exercises to prevent heart disease due to her family history?

1. Health promotion

2. Illness prevention

3. Health maintenance

4. Health protection

The correct answer is: Illness prevention

The term that best describes a woman who exercises to prevent heart disease due to her family history is illness prevention. This concept focuses on actions that individuals take specifically to avoid developing a disease or health condition based on known risk factors. In this case, the woman's family history of heart disease puts her at an elevated risk, and by choosing to exercise regularly, she is proactively taking steps to reduce her likelihood of developing the illness. Health promotion refers to broader actions that enhance overall well-being and quality of life, not just targeted prevention of diseases. While health maintenance entails practices that support ongoing good health, it does not specifically address the proactive measures taken in response to a known risk factor like family history. Health protection is more about safeguarding against health risks in general, often involving policies or regulations rather than individual actions focused on disease prevention. Thus, the scenario represents a specific effort to prevent illness, highlighting the appropriate use of the term.