Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Exam

What type of prevention focuses on the treatment of early disease to prevent further progression?

1. Primary Prevention

2. Secondary Prevention

3. Tertiary Prevention

4. Quaternary Prevention

The correct answer is: Secondary Prevention

The focus of secondary prevention is indeed on the treatment of early disease to prevent further progression. This type of prevention aims to identify and address health issues at their earliest stages, which allows for interventions that can halt or slow down the disease process. For example, in mental health, screenings for depression or anxiety can lead to early intervention through therapy or medication, which can prevent more severe forms of the illness from developing. Primary prevention, in contrast, is concerned with preventing disease before it occurs, often through health education and promoting healthy lifestyles. Tertiary prevention addresses long-term care and rehabilitation for individuals who already have significant health issues to improve their quality of life, but it does not focus on stopping the progression of an early disease. Quaternary prevention is focused on avoiding unnecessary interventions and protecting patients from overmedicalization. Therefore, secondary prevention is the appropriate type for treating early disease to prevent advancements in its progression.