2.10 Learning Activities

Prevention Case Study^[1]

Situation/Background

Mrs. Linda Thompson, a 55-year-old woman, visits her primary care clinic for a routine check-up. She has a history of hypertension and a family history of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. She works a sedentary job, has a BMI of 32, and smokes a half-pack of cigarettes per day. During her visit, the nurse conducts a comprehensive health assessment and provides education on lifestyle modifications, including smoking cessation, dietary changes, and increased physical activity.

A few months later, Mrs. Thompson is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. She attends a diabetes education program at her local hospital, where she learns about blood glucose monitoring, medication management, and dietary adjustments.

A year later, Mrs. Thompson is admitted to the hospital with a foot ulcer due to poorly managed diabetes. She is referred to a wound care specialist and undergoes treatment to prevent further complications.

Critical Thinking Questions

1. Which of the following nursing interventions represents a primary prevention strategy for Mrs. Thompson?
   a) Educating her about smoking cessation and healthy lifestyle choices
   b) Prescribing insulin to manage her blood glucose levels
   c) Referring her to a wound care specialist for her foot ulcer
   d) Performing daily blood glucose monitoring

2. What is an example of secondary prevention in Mrs. Thompson’s case?
   a) Encouraging a healthy diet to prevent diabetes
   b) Conducting regular blood glucose screenings to detect diabetes early
   c) Providing rehabilitation after her hospital admission
   d) Educating her about managing complications of diabetes

3. Which healthcare service used by Mrs. Thompson is an example of tertiary prevention?
   a) A smoking cessation program
   b) A diabetes education class after her diagnosis
   c) Wound care treatment for her foot ulcer
   d) A yearly physical exam

4. Explain the difference between primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention using Mrs. Thompson’s case as an example. (Short Answer)

5. The nurse encourages Mrs. Thompson to attend a diabetes prevention program before she is diagnosed with diabetes. This is an example of:
   a) Primary prevention
   b) Secondary prevention
   c) Tertiary prevention
   d) None of the above

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