Which action is an example of primary prevention ?

Choice A reason: Avoiding unnecessary imaging is generally considered a component of quaternary prevention, which aims to protect patients from medical interventions that are likely to cause more harm than good. It is about preventing over-medicalization rather than preventing the initial onset of a specific infectious or chronic disease. Choice B reason: Primary prevention aims to prevent disease or injury before it ever occurs. Immunizations, such as the flu vaccination, are classic examples. By administering the vaccine, the nurse helps the patient develop immunity, thereby preventing the pathogen from causing an initial infection and reducing the spread in the community. Choice C reason: Cardiac rehabilitation is a form of tertiary prevention. This level of prevention focuses on managing disease after it has already been diagnosed and has caused damage. The goal is to slow the progress of the condition, prevent further complications, and maximize the patient's remaining functional capacity and quality of life. Choice D reason: Screening for breast cancer, such as through mammography, is an example of secondary prevention. Secondary prevention focuses on early detection and prompt intervention to catch a disease in its earliest stages, often before symptoms appear, to improve the prognosis and limit the long-term impact of the illness.