The public health nurse is discussing the factors that influence health with a group of staff nurses. Which factor mentioned by the staff suggests the need for further education?

Choice A reason: Primordial prevention refers to interventions that prevent the emergence of risk factors themselves, often through environmental or policy-level changes. Improving access to safe walking trails promotes physical activity before sedentary behavior becomes a risk factor, thereby preventing the development of chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions. This aligns with the upstream approach of modifying social and environmental determinants of health.

Choice B reason: Educating an older adult about healthy eating habits is an example of primary prevention. It targets individuals who may already be at risk and aims to prevent the onset of disease through behavioral changes, not the creation of a health-promoting environment.

Choice C reason: Developing a checklist for diabetic foot care is a tertiary prevention strategy. It focuses on managing and preventing complications in individuals who already have a diagnosed condition—in this case, diabetes.

Choice D reason: Handing out flyers for free mammograms is a form of secondary prevention. It aims to detect disease early (breast cancer) through screening and prompt intervention, not to prevent the development of risk factors.

Choice A reason: Therapeutic touch is a complementary therapy that involves the practitioner using their hands to sense and manipulate the client’s energy field. It is designed to promote relaxation, reduce anxiety, and enhance healing. The technique does not involve physical manipulation but rather focuses on energy flow and balance.

Choice B reason: Manipulating bones and joints is characteristic of chiropractic or osteopathic techniques, not therapeutic touch. This statement misrepresents the nature of the therapy.

Choice C reason: Essential oils are used in aromatherapy, not therapeutic touch. While both are complementary therapies, they operate through different mechanisms and principles.

Choice D reason: Therapeutic touch does not require a massage therapist. It can be performed by trained healthcare professionals, including nurses, who have received specific instruction in the technique. Licensing as a massage therapist is not a prerequisite.