What it means
In health care, prevention has three levels. Primary prevention stops a problem before it starts (vaccines, seat belts, healthy eating). Secondary prevention finds a problem early, before symptoms, so it can be treated (screening tests such as a Pap testPAP testA screening test in which cells are gently scraped from the cervix and looked at under a microscope.Full entry or mammogram). Tertiary prevention limits harm from a disease the person already has (rehabilitation, diabetic foot care).
For the nurse
On the exam, match the action to the level: a vaccine is primary, a screening test is secondary, cardiac rehab is tertiary.
Remember it
Primary stops it, secondary spots it, tertiary limits it.
At a glance
| Spanish | prevención |
|---|---|
| Also written | prevention’s, preventive |
Related terms
vaccine
A product that trains the immune system to protect the body against a specific disease.
health promotion
Helping people take actions that keep them well and improve their health.
prophylaxis
Treatment given to prevent a disease or problem, rather than to treat one that is already present.
disease prevention
Actions taken to keep a specific disease from starting, to find it early, or to limit its harm.