Tertiary prevention in public health nursing involves actions aimed at what?

• A. Preventing the disease from occurring.
• B. Early detection of disease in asymptomatic individuals.
• C. Reducing impact of existing disease by coordinating care.
• D. Promoting vaccination before exposure.

Answer: (C)

Tertiary prevention targets people who already have a health problem. Its aim is to reduce the disease’s impact by minimizing complications, maximizing function, and preventing further deterioration through rehabilitation, ongoing management, and coordinated care among providers. This broader coordination helps ensure treatments, therapies, and support services work together to restore the best possible quality of life.

So, reducing the impact of an existing disease by coordinating care fits this concept because it focuses on those with a condition and uses organized, multidisciplinary efforts to lessen disability and improve outcomes.

In contrast, primary prevention aims to prevent the disease from happening (for example, vaccination or risk-reduction strategies), while secondary prevention involves early disease detection in people who are asymptomatic (screening).