primary prevention

primary prevention,

a program of activities directed at improving general well-being while also involving specific protection for selected diseases, such as immunization against measles.

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prevention [pre-ven´shun]

the keeping of something (such as an illness or injury) from happening.

fall prevention in the nursing interventions classification, a nursing intervention defined as instituting special precautions with the patient at risk for injury from falling.

pressure ulcer prevention in the nursing interventions classification, a nursing intervention defined as the prevention of pressure ulcers for a patient at high risk for developing them.

primary prevention the first level of health care, designed to prevent the occurrence of disease and promote health.

religious addiction prevention in the nursing interventions classification, a nursing intervention defined as prevention of a self-imposed controlling religious lifestyle. See also addiction.

secondary prevention the second level of health care, based on the earliest possible identification of disease so that it can be more readily treated or managed and adverse sequelae can be prevented.

shock prevention in the nursing interventions classification, a nursing intervention defined as detecting and treating a patient at risk for impending shock.

sports-injury prevention: youth in the nursing interventions classification, a nursing intervention defined as reducing the risk of sport-related injury in young athletes.

substance use prevention in the nursing interventions classification, a nursing intervention defined as the prevention of an alcoholic or drug use lifestyle. See also substance abuse.

suicide prevention in the nursing interventions classification, a nursing intervention defined as reducing risk of self-inflicted harm with intent to end life. See also suicide.

tertiary prevention the third phase or level of health care, concerned with promotion of independent function and prevention of further disease-related deterioration.

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primary,

n a term indicating the first in time or the first in order in a series.

primary beam,

n See radiation, primary.

primary care,

n the first contact with a health care provider in a given episode of illness that leads to a decision regarding a course of action to resolve the health problem presented by the patient.

primary deficiency,

n the insufficient intake of dietary nutrients that may be due to such factors as illness, ignorance, economic status, fad diets, food preferences, overuse of convenience foods, or poor oral health.

primary dentin,

n the dentin produced after a tooth takes its position in the oral cavity but before the apical foramen is completed.

primary dentition,

n See dentition, primary.

primary fixation,

n the immediate postoperative fastening of an implant to bone by means of wires, screws, or a superstructure until, through natural healing and adhesion, final fixation occurs.

primary health care,

n a basic level of health care that includes programs directed at the promotion of health, early diagnosis of disease or disability, and prevention of disease.

primary intention healing,

n the healing of a wound directly at the incision site.

primary lymphoma of the brain,

n a secondary neoplasm associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

primary prevention,

n an action performed to preclude the development of a disease. See also primary health care and secondary prevention.

primary radiation,

n See radiation, primary.

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primary prevention

Preventive medicine Any intervention which ↓ risks of a particular disease–eg, ↓ cholesterol intake to ↓ risk of ASHD, or ↓ tobacco to ↓ risk of lung CA. See Healthy lifestyle, Prevention. Cf Secondary prevention Psychiatry Measures to prevent a mental disorder–eg, nutrition, substitute parents, etc.