What is tertiary prevention?

What is tertiary prevention?

• A. Restoration/rehabilitation, preventing deterioration, helping manage after effects of a disease
• B. Early diagnosis
• C. Health promotion
• D. Vaccination

Answer: (A)

Tertiary prevention focuses on reducing harm after a disease has already occurred by restoring function, preventing further deterioration, and helping the person manage ongoing effects. This includes rehabilitation and measures that limit complications or disability, so the individual can regain as much independence and quality of life as possible. For example, physical therapy after a stroke to regain movement, or ongoing management to prevent diabetes complications like neuropathy or ulcers, fits this idea because the disease is present and the goal is to minimize its impact. By comparison, early diagnosis aims to detect disease early to prevent progression, which is secondary prevention. Health promotion and vaccination aim to prevent the disease from occurring in the first place, which are primary prevention efforts.

Tertiary prevention focuses on reducing harm after a disease has already occurred by restoring function, preventing further deterioration, and helping the person manage ongoing effects. This includes rehabilitation and measures that limit complications or disability, so the individual can regain as much independence and quality of life as possible. For example, physical therapy after a stroke to regain movement, or ongoing management to prevent diabetes complications like neuropathy or ulcers, fits this idea because the disease is present and the goal is to minimize its impact.

By comparison, early diagnosis aims to detect disease early to prevent progression, which is secondary prevention. Health promotion and vaccination aim to prevent the disease from occurring in the first place, which are primary prevention efforts.