Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Community-Based Nursing Practice Related

Review Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Community-Based Nursing Practice related questions and content

A home health nurse has been assigned to the care of an 82 year-old woman who has been discharged home following hip replacement surgery. At what level of care is this nurse most likely practicing?

  • A. Preventative care
  • B. Primary prevention
  • C. Secondary prevention
  • D. Tertiary prevention
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Nurses in community-based practice provide preventive care at three levels: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Tertiary prevention focuses on minimizing deterioration and improving quality of life, including rehabilitation to assist patients in achieving their maximum potential by working through their physical or psychological challenges. Home care nurses often focus on tertiary preventive nursing care, although primary and secondary prevention are also addressed. Preventive care is an umbrella term for all three levels of care.