Which scenario illustrates tertiary prevention?

• A. Vision screening
• B. Vaccination
• C. Handwashing education
• D. Rehabilitation or chronic disease management programs

Answer: (D)

Tertiary prevention focuses on people who already have a disease or disability and aims to minimize complications, prevent further decline, and restore function. Rehabilitation or chronic disease management programs fit this because they work to improve outcomes for someone with an established condition—helping regain or maintain independence, prevent hospital readmissions, and reduce the impact of the disease on daily life. For example, after a stroke, rehabilitation helps recover mobility and independence; ongoing diabetes management aims to prevent complications like kidney disease or neuropathy.

Vision screening is an effort to detect problems early in presumably healthy individuals, which is secondary prevention. Vaccination prevents disease from occurring in the first place, which is primary prevention. Handwashing education reduces the risk of illness before disease develops, also primary prevention.