Counseling a diabetic patient to increase her exercise level is which level?

• A. Secondary
• B. Primary
• C. Quaternary
• D. Tertiary

Answer: (D)

The question centers on levels of prevention. Since the patient already has diabetes, the aim of counseling her to exercise is to minimize the disease’s complications, improve control, and prevent disability. That is tertiary prevention, which focuses on reducing harm and functional loss once a disease is established. Primary prevention would aim to prevent diabetes from occurring in healthy individuals, and secondary prevention would involve early disease detection to stop progression. Quaternary prevention relates to avoiding unnecessary interventions. So, increasing exercise in someone with diabetes best fits tertiary prevention.