A school nurse is planning primary prevention activities for the upcoming school year. Which of the following should be included in the nurse’s plan? (Select all that apply)

Choice A rationale

Asking the client to describe how they are feeling today is an important part of the assessment. However, when dealing with a client who is managing depression, the nurse’s first priority should be to ensure the safety of the client.

Choice B rationale

Asking if the client is having any thoughts about hurting themselves is the first question the nurse should ask. This is because safety is always the top priority, and clients dealing with depression may be at risk for self-harm or suicide.

Choice C rationale

While it’s important to understand what makes the client feel less depressed, this question is not as immediately critical as assessing for potential self-harm or suicide risk.

Choice D rationale

Understanding the client’s support system is an important part of the assessment, but it is not the first priority. The nurse’s initial focus should be on assessing the client’s immediate safety and mental health status.

The correct answers are A. Organize a program to promote skateboard safety and C. Teach a class about the risks of cigarette smoking.

Primary prevention focuses on activities that prevent disease or injury before they occur. This includes education, safety programs, and health promotion efforts to reduce risk factors in the community.

Here’s why these choices align with primary prevention:

• A. Organize a program to promote skateboard safety – Encouraging safe practices and protective equipment use helps prevent injuries before they happen.

• C. Teach a class about the risks of cigarette smoking – Educating students on health risks helps prevent smoking initiation, reducing future complications like lung disease.

The other options represent different levels of prevention:

• B. Lobby for funding for health promotion efforts – While important, lobbying is an advocacy action, not direct prevention. It supports primary prevention efforts but isn't a standalone preventive measure.

• D. Recommend a seating arrangement for a child in a body cast – This falls under tertiary prevention, which focuses on adapting care for existing conditions rather than preventing health issues in the first place.