A community health nurse is providing teaching to a client about primary prevention methods for sexually transmitted infections. The nurse should identify that the teaching reflects which of the following stages of the natural history of disease model?
Incubation period
Stage of clinical illness
Stage of recovery, disability, or death
Stage of susceptibility
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A: Incubation Period
The incubation period refers to the time between exposure to an infectious agent and the appearance of symptoms. During this stage, the pathogen is multiplying within the host, but there are no visible signs or symptoms of the disease. Primary prevention methods, such as education about safe sex practices and vaccination, are not typically associated with this stage because they aim to prevent the initial exposure to the pathogen.
Choice B: Stage of Clinical Illness
The stage of clinical illness is when the disease manifests with recognizable symptoms and signs. At this point, the focus is often on secondary prevention (early detection and treatment) and tertiary prevention (managing symptoms and preventing complications). Primary prevention methods are less relevant during this stage because the goal is to prevent the disease from occurring in the first place, rather than managing it after symptoms appear.
Choice C: Stage of Recovery, Disability, or Death
This stage represents the outcomes of the disease, where the individual either recovers, experiences long-term disability, or dies. Interventions at this stage are typically tertiary prevention measures, aimed at rehabilitation and reducing the impact of the disease. Primary prevention methods are not applicable here, as they are intended to prevent the disease from occurring initially.
Choice D: Stage of Susceptibility
The stage of susceptibility is the period before the disease process begins, where individuals are at risk of developing the disease. Primary prevention methods are most effective during this stage, as they aim to reduce the risk of exposure to the pathogen and enhance the individual's resistance to infection. Examples include education on safe sex practices, vaccination, and promoting healthy behaviors to prevent sexually transmitted infections⁴⁵.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A: Incidence is a Measure of Mortality
This statement is incorrect. Incidence refers to the number of new cases of a disease that occur in a specified population during a defined period. It measures the risk of developing the disease, not the number of deaths. Mortality rates, on the other hand, measure the number of deaths due to a disease in a population.
Choice B: Incidence Includes Only People at Risk for the Disease
This statement is correct. The incidence rate is calculated by dividing the number of new cases of a disease by the number of people at risk for the disease in the population during a specified period. This measure helps to understand the likelihood of developing the disease among those who are susceptible.
Choice C: The Denominator for the Incidence Rate Calculation is for the Entire Population
This statement is incorrect. The denominator for the incidence rate calculation should include only those individuals who are at risk of developing the disease, not the entire population. Including the entire population would inaccurately represent the risk, as it would include individuals who cannot develop the disease (e.g., men in the case of breast cancer).
Choice D: New Cases are Not Considered When Calculating an Incidence Rate
This statement is incorrect. The incidence rate specifically measures the number of new cases of a disease that occur in a population during a specified period. Therefore, new cases are a critical component of the incidence rate calculation.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: "I will not know if I am going to be in the intervention or control group."
This statement indicates a misunderstanding of the nature of a cross-sectional study. Cross-sectional studies involve observing a specific population at a single point in time to gather data on various variables. There are no intervention or control groups in such studies, as they do not involve experimental manipulation or longitudinal follow-up.
Choice B reason: "The study will last for 10 years. You will contact me annually for an interview and blood work."
This statement describes a longitudinal study, not a cross-sectional study. Longitudinal studies involve repeated observations of the same variables over an extended period. Cross-sectional studies, on the other hand, collect data at one specific point in time, making this statement incorrect.
Choice C reason: "You'll need to find other participants like me but who do not have this disease."
This statement suggests a case-control study design, where participants with a specific condition (cases) are compared to those without the condition (controls). Cross-sectional studies do not require such comparisons; they simply collect data from a population at a single point in time to analyze the prevalence of certain characteristics or conditions.
Choice D reason: "The survey will take an hour to complete and then I'll be done."
This statement accurately reflects the nature of a cross-sectional study. These studies typically involve a one-time data collection process, such as a survey or interview, to gather information on various variables. Once the survey is completed, the participant's involvement in the study is finished, making this the correct understanding of a cross-sectional study.
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