Which is a tertiary intervention a public health nurse can use when teens are vaping?

Which is a tertiary intervention a public health nurse can use when teens are vaping?

• A. Provide a cessation program
• B. Launch a city-wide anti-vaping campaign
• C. Remove all vaping devices from schools
• D. Do nothing

Answer: (A)

Tertiary prevention focuses on reducing damage and preventing progression once a health problem already exists. Teens who are vaping have an ongoing exposure and potential nicotine dependence, so the intervention should address quitting and minimizing harm. Providing a cessation program directly helps current users quit, lowers nicotine exposure, and reduces future health risks. It also supports behavior change and relapse prevention, which are core goals after the problem has developed. The other options target preventing the problem in the first place or removing the environment that facilitates use, rather than treating those who already vape. A city-wide anti-vaping campaign is primary prevention aimed at stopping initiation among nonusers. Removing vaping devices from schools is an environmental control that limits access but isn’t a treatment to reduce harm for current users. Doing nothing fails to address the ongoing issue.

Tertiary prevention focuses on reducing damage and preventing progression once a health problem already exists. Teens who are vaping have an ongoing exposure and potential nicotine dependence, so the intervention should address quitting and minimizing harm.

Providing a cessation program directly helps current users quit, lowers nicotine exposure, and reduces future health risks. It also supports behavior change and relapse prevention, which are core goals after the problem has developed.

The other options target preventing the problem in the first place or removing the environment that facilitates use, rather than treating those who already vape. A city-wide anti-vaping campaign is primary prevention aimed at stopping initiation among nonusers. Removing vaping devices from schools is an environmental control that limits access but isn’t a treatment to reduce harm for current users. Doing nothing fails to address the ongoing issue.