A patient in rehabilitation after a stroke receives physical therapy and speech therapy. These are examples of which level of prevention?

• A. Primary prevention
• B. Secondary prevention
• C. Tertiary prevention
• D. Health promotion

Answer: (C)

When a disease has already occurred, the focus shifts to reducing the resulting disability and preventing complications through rehabilitation and coordinated care. Physical therapy and speech therapy after a stroke aim to maximize function, improve independence, and prevent further complications like muscle contractures or pneumonia. That goal fits tertiary prevention, which focuses on minimizing long-term disability and optimizing quality of life once the condition exists. Primary prevention would be about preventing the stroke from happening in the first place, and secondary prevention involves early detection to prevent progression; health promotion is broader but does not specifically address reducing established disability.