A mental health nurse is providing preventive care for a group of clients in the community. Which of the following actions by the nurse demonstrates a secondary prevention strategy?
Explanation & Rationale
A. Leading a group discussion with several clients who have schizophrenia and are dealing with tardive dyskinesia: This intervention focuses on managing existing illness and its complications, which is considered tertiary prevention rather than secondary prevention. B. Screening college students who demonstrate manifestations of depressive disorder: Secondary prevention involves early detection and prompt intervention to prevent progression of a disease. Screening for depressive symptoms allows identification of at-risk individuals and facilitates timely treatment before the condition worsens. C. Training volunteers in an adult day care facility to communicate effectively with clients who have cognitive impairments: This is a tertiary prevention strategy, as it aims to reduce the impact of an existing condition and improve functioning in clients who already have cognitive impairments. D. Teaching personal coping skills to a group of adults whose parents have Alzheimer's disease: This represents primary prevention, as it focuses on promoting resilience and preventing stress-related disorders before they occur in a population at risk.