Public Health Nursing Practice Exam 2026 – The Complete Guide to Master Your Certification!

Rabies post-exposure immunization is categorized as secondary prevention because it occurs after a potential exposure to a rabies virus, with the aim of preventing the disease from developing. Secondary prevention focuses on early detection and prompt intervention to reduce the severity and impact of a disease after exposure has occurred. In this case, the administration of the rabies vaccine acts as a critical measure to intervene immediately after exposure, thus preventing the onset of symptoms and the progression of the disease.

Primary prevention aims to prevent the occurrence of disease before it happens, such as through vaccinations administered in advance or public health education about avoiding animal bites. Tertiary prevention deals with managing and rehabilitating individuals who already have a disease to minimize complications and enhance quality of life. Assessment, while integral to public health nursing, does not fit within the prevention levels as it refers to the process of evaluating health needs and outcomes rather than acting to prevent disease.