The nurse is developing disaster plans for a community.
Which situation is an example of a high-intensity and small-scope disaster?

Answer and explanation

The correct answer is Choice A.

Choice A rationale

Primary prevention includes measures that prevent the occurrence of a specific disease or health condition. In the context of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), primary prevention would involve education on safe sex practices. This could include information on the use of condoms, the importance of regular STI testing, and the risks associated with having multiple sexual partners. Given the client’s history of multiple sexual partners and recurrent symptoms suggestive of STIs, education on safe sex practices would be an appropriate preventive strategy.

Choice B rationale

Secondary prevention involves early detection and intervention to prevent the progression of a disease or health condition. Regular screenings for STIs fall under this category. However, given that the client has visited the clinic three times in the past 12 months with similar concerns but no STIs were diagnosed, secondary prevention may not be the most appropriate focus for this client.

Choice C rationale

Tertiary prevention involves managing disease post diagnosis to slow or stop disease progression through measures such as medication management and lifestyle changes. Education regarding prescribed treatments for STIs would fall under this category. However, since the client has not been diagnosed with an STI in her previous visits, tertiary prevention would not be the most appropriate focus for this client.

Choice D rationale

Quaternary prevention involves strategies to reduce or avoid unnecessary interventions in the health care system. This could include avoiding unnecessary diagnostic tests or treatments.

Given the client’s history and current symptoms, focusing on quaternary prevention would not be appropriate as it is important to identify the cause of her symptoms and provide appropriate treatment.

Answer and explanation

The correct answer is Choice C.

Choice A rationale

While ensuring safe drinking water is important during a disaster, it may not be the most important content for a community health nurse to include in a disaster management class in a Gulf Coast town that caters to tourists.

Choice B rationale

Knowing available evacuation routes from the town is crucial during a disaster. However, in a Gulf Coast town that caters to tourists, the most significant threat is likely to be hurricanes.

Choice C rationale

Given the geographical location of the Gulf Coast town, hurricane preparedness for families and businesses is the most important content to include in the class. Hurricanes are a common natural disaster in this area, and being prepared can help reduce the impact of such events.

Choice D rationale

While it’s important to know what actions to take during a tornado, tornadoes are not as common as hurricanes in Gulf Coast towns. Therefore, hurricane preparedness would be more relevant to include in the class.