Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

Which example illustrates secondary prevention?

1. Providing education on healthy lifestyles

2. Conducting routine health screenings

3. Implementing community health programs

4. Offering wellness workshops

The correct answer is: Conducting routine health screenings

Secondary prevention focuses on early detection and intervention to prevent the progression of diseases or conditions. Conducting routine health screenings is a prime example of secondary prevention because these screenings aim to identify health issues in their early stages before they develop into more serious problems. For instance, regular screenings for hypertension, diabetes, or cancer allow for early diagnosis, which can lead to prompt treatment and better health outcomes. This proactive approach is crucial because the earlier a condition is detected, the more effective the intervention can be. In contrast, options like providing education on healthy lifestyles, implementing community health programs, and offering wellness workshops are primarily strategies for primary prevention. These approaches aim to prevent diseases before they occur by promoting overall health and well-being rather than focusing on detecting existing conditions.