The government launched the NPCDCS program to target?

Tripura CHO - 2021

Community Health Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: Tripura CHO - 2021

Explanation

The correct option is 'All of the above' as NPCDCS is an integrated program designed to tackle multiple non-communicable diseases (NCDs) together.
The full name of the program is the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke.
This initiative was launched to address the rising burden of major NCDs in India by combining prevention, early detection, and management strategies under a single comprehensive framework.
The program's name itself explicitly includes Cancer, Diabetes, and Cardiovascular Diseases, making the individual options incomplete and 'All of the above' the only correct choice.

Option A: This is incorrect because while cancer is a major component of the NPCDCS, the program's scope is much broader and not limited to only cancer.
Option B: This is incorrect because cardiac (cardiovascular) diseases are just one part of the group of NCDs targeted by the NPCDCS.
Option C: This is incorrect because diabetes is one of the key diseases covered, but the program also explicitly includes cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain National Health Programmes in India, specifically the NPCDCS as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses are the backbone of the NPCDCS at the community level, responsible for conducting screenings, providing health education, and ensuring patient follow-up, which are critical for the program's success.
A thorough understanding of NPCDCS enables nurses to effectively contribute to national health goals by managing NCDs in their communities and promoting preventive healthcare.
What if? If a 40-year-old patient is screened and found to have high blood pressure, a nurse following NPCDCS guidelines would not only manage the hypertension but also screen for diabetes and counsel on risk factors for cancer and stroke, providing holistic, integrated care.

How to Approach the Question

First, analyze the question to identify the key term, which is 'NPCDCS program'.
Recall or try to decipher the acronym. Health program acronyms often list the diseases they target.
Examine the options provided: 'Cancer', 'Cardiac diseases', and 'Diabetes'.
Recognize that all three options are major non-communicable diseases.
Consider the possibility that a national program might be integrated to tackle multiple related health issues efficiently.
Based on the name 'National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke', conclude that it targets all the listed conditions, making 'All of the above' the most comprehensive and correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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