Question

Difficulty: MediumHealth Promotion and Disease Prevention

A nurse in a women's health clinic is planning care for a healthy 26-year-old client. The nurse incorporates various disease prevention strategies into the client's plan of care. Which of the following nursing actions represents an appropriate secondary prevention strategy specifically indicated for this client?

  1. A
    Administering the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to build viral immunity.
  2. Performing a routine Papanicolaou (Pap) test to evaluate for cervical cellular abnormalities.Answer
  3. C
    Educating the client about the consistent use of barrier contraceptives during sexual activity.
  4. D
    Facilitating a referral for cryotherapy to manage previously identified precancerous cervical lesions.

Answer

Performing a routine Papanicolaou (Pap) test to evaluate for cervical cellular abnormalities.
Secondary prevention involves interventions aimed at early detection and screening for diseases before they become clinically symptomatic. Performing a Papanicolaou (Pap) test is a classic secondary prevention measure because it screens for early cellular changes in the cervix, allowing for prompt intervention. This is highly appropriate for a healthy 26-year-old client.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the core concept being tested in the scenario.
The question requires identifying a secondary prevention strategy appropriate for a 26-year-old client.
Accurate classification of prevention levels is essential for appropriate care planning.
2
Define the goal of secondary prevention.
Secondary prevention focuses on early detection and screening of disease in asymptomatic individuals.
Understanding the definition helps distinguish it from primary (prevention) and tertiary (treatment or rehabilitation) strategies.
3
Evaluate each option against the definition of secondary prevention.
Vaccination and contraceptive education are primary. Cryotherapy is tertiary. The Pap test is a screening tool, making it secondary prevention.
Systematically categorizing each intervention ensures the correct level of prevention is selected.

Key Concept

Levels of Disease Prevention
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