Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

What level of health prevention is used when screening for major depression in an existing patient?

1. Primary prevention

2. Secondary prevention

3. Tertiary prevention

4. Dropout prevention program

The correct answer is: Secondary prevention

When screening for major depression in an existing patient, the level of health prevention employed is secondary prevention. This approach involves the early detection and management of diseases or conditions—specifically, those that may not yet be symptomatic but could lead to significant health issues if left unaddressed. In this context, screening allows healthcare providers to identify depression early, even in patients who may not exhibit overt signs. By doing so, it opens the door for timely intervention, potentially preventing the progression of the disorder and improving the patient's overall mental health outcomes. Primary prevention, on the other hand, is focused on avoiding the onset of disease before it occurs, such as through education or vaccinations. Tertiary prevention involves managing existing diseases to mitigate complications and improve quality of life, which is outside the scope of early screening practices. A dropout prevention program is specifically related to addressing issues of non-compliance or disengagement in treatment contexts rather than an established screening mechanism.