A nurse is planning priority interventions for a community health program. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include?

Choice A reason: Motor vehicle safety is the topic that the nurse should give priority to, as it is the leading cause of death for adolescents. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), road traffic injuries are the top cause of death among 15- to 19-year-olds globally, accounting for 115 000 deaths in 2019¹. Adolescents are vulnerable road users, especially as drivers, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, or motorcyclists. The nurse should educate the adolescents about the risk factors and prevention strategies for road traffic injuries, such as wearing seat belts, helmets, and reflective clothing, avoiding distractions, alcohol, and drugs, and following traffic rules and signs.

Choice B reason: Sports injury prevention is not the topic that the nurse should give priority to, as it is not the leading cause of death for adolescents. Sports injuries are common among adolescents, as they are physically active and participate in various sports and recreational activities. Sports injuries can cause pain, disability, or death, depending on the type, severity, and location of the injury. The nurse should educate the adolescents about the risk factors and prevention strategies for sports injuries, such as warming up, cooling down, stretching, using protective equipment, and seeking medical attention when needed.

Choice C reason: Substance abuse prevention is not the topic that the nurse should give priority to, as it is not the leading cause of death for adolescents. Substance abuse is the harmful use of psychoactive substances, such as alcohol, tobacco, or drugs, that can affect the health and well-being of adolescents. Substance abuse can cause acute or chronic effects, such as intoxication, overdose, addiction, organ damage, or mental disorders. The nurse should educate the adolescents about the risk factors and prevention strategies for substance abuse, such as avoiding peer pressure, coping with stress, seeking help, and accessing treatment.

Choice D reason: Gun safety is not the topic that the nurse should give priority to, as it is not the leading cause of death for adolescents. Gun safety is the practice of using firearms in a safe and responsible manner, to prevent accidental or intentional injuries or deaths. Gun safety can involve proper handling, storage, and disposal of firearms, as well as education and awareness about the dangers and consequences of gun violence. The nurse should educate the adolescents about the risk factors and prevention strategies for gun safety, such as avoiding access to firearms, reporting threats, and supporting non-violent solutions.

Choice A reason: Giving positive feedback to students who make appropriate choices is a good strategy to reinforce healthy eating, but it is not the first action that the nurse should take. The nurse should first assess the students' readiness to learn and their motivation to change their behavior.

Choice B reason: Helping students recognize the value of making healthy food choices is an important goal of the program, but it is not the first action that the nurse should take. The nurse should first determine the students' current knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about healthy eating and tailor the program accordingly.

Choice C reason: Providing students with resources about making wise choices independently is a useful way to support their learning, but it is not the first action that the nurse should take. The nurse should first identify the barriers and facilitators that influence the students' food choices and address them in the program.

Choice D reason: Determining students' motivation to learn about healthy food choices is the first action that the nurse should take. This is based on the principle of learner-centered education, which states that the nurse should assess the learners' needs, interests, and readiness to learn before planning and implementing the program.