Word parts
What it means
Preventive care, most often a drug. Examples are antibiotics given within an hour before a surgical cut to prevent wound infection, anticoagulants or compression devices to prevent deep vein thrombosisDEEP VAYN throm-BOH-sisA blood clot in a deep vein, most often in the leg or pelvis.thromb/o clot-osis conditionFull entry after surgery, and drugs given after exposure to an infection such as HIV (post-exposure prophylaxis). Vaccines are also a form of prophylaxis.
For the nurse
Give prophylactic drugs on time, since their timing is what makes them work.
At a glance
| Abbreviations | PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis; ambiguous on its own); PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) |
|---|---|
| Spanish | profilaxis |
| Also written | prophylactic, prophylactically |
Related terms
vaccine
A product that trains the immune system to protect the body against a specific disease.
anticoagulant
A drug that slows the blood's ability to form clots.
antibiotic
A drug that kills bacteria or stops them from growing.
prevention
Action taken to stop a disease, injury or problem from happening, or to keep it from getting worse.