Among the following secondary prevention of TB is?

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2018

Explanation

Secondary prevention aims to halt disease progression through early diagnosis and prompt treatment.
DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course) is the internationally recommended strategy for TB control, representing the 'prompt treatment' component of secondary prevention.
The goal of DOTS is to cure the patient and, crucially, to break the chain of transmission within the community.
While sputum testing is also part of secondary prevention (early diagnosis), DOTS is the comprehensive therapeutic intervention.

Option A: BCG vaccination is a measure of specific protection against tuberculosis.
Option B: Health education is a health promotion activity aimed at preventing disease onset.
Option D: A sputum test is a method for early diagnosis, which is one part of secondary prevention. However, DOTS is the comprehensive treatment strategy that follows diagnosis and is the cornerstone of TB control.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Levels of Prevention for Tuberculosis as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a vital role in all levels of TB prevention, from administering BCG vaccines (primary), to identifying suspected cases for sputum testing, and ensuring patient adherence to DOTS (secondary), to supporting patients with post-TB complications (tertiary).
Ensuring adherence to DOTS is a critical nursing responsibility to prevent the development of Multi-Drug Resistant TB (MDR-TB), a major public health threat.
What if? If a patient on DOTS reports side effects like orange-colored urine, the nurse's role is to reassure them that this is a normal, harmless side effect of the drug Rifampicin and to encourage them to continue treatment.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key concept in the question: 'secondary prevention'.
Recall the definition of secondary prevention, which includes two main components: early diagnosis and prompt treatment.
Analyze each option to determine which level of prevention it represents.
BCG Vaccination and Health Education are primary prevention (preventing the disease from occurring).
Sputum test is for early diagnosis (secondary prevention).
DOTS is for prompt treatment (secondary prevention).

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Comprehensive Textbook of Community Health Nursing for BSc Nursing Students Part 2 — Subpart A (pp 1-275 of 550) pp. 78-80, 21-23

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart C (pp 404-604 of 604) p. 106-108

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