Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

In discussions about primary prevention of STDs, what should the nurse emphasize?

1. Importance of partner notification.

2. Strategies for safer sexual practices.

3. Mandatory STD testing.

4. Use of standard precautions during all interactions.

The correct answer is: Strategies for safer sexual practices.

In discussions about primary prevention of STDs, the emphasis on strategies for safer sexual practices is crucial. Primary prevention aims to prevent the onset of disease before it occurs, and in the context of STDs, this involves educating individuals on behaviors that can significantly reduce the risk of transmission. Safer sexual practices encompass a wide range of strategies, including the use of condoms, mutual monogamy, and regular communication about sexual health with partners. These practices actively empower individuals to make informed choices about their sexual health and are foundational components of effective public health interventions. By focusing on prevention strategies, the nurse can help individuals understand their roles in reducing the risk of STDs and promote public health at large. While other options, such as partner notification, STD testing, and standard precautions, are important in managing sexually transmitted infections, they are more relevant to secondary or tertiary prevention rather than primary prevention. Effective primary prevention relies on education and behavior modification to lessen the incidence of STDs in the first place.