Cardiac rehabilitation and kidney screening after a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus are examples of what type of prevention?

Cardiac rehabilitation and kidney screening after a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus are examples of tertiary prevention. Tertiary prevention focuses on managing and reducing the impact of an ongoing illness or injury that has lasting effects. It aims to help patients manage chronic conditions and improve their quality of life following complications associated with those conditions.

In the case of diabetes mellitus, cardiac rehabilitation is vital because individuals with diabetes are at a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases. By engaging in rehabilitation, these patients can improve their cardiovascular health, thereby preventing further complications. Additionally, kidney screening is critical in diabetes management, as it helps identify any early signs of diabetic nephropathy, allowing for timely intervention that can prevent renal failure.

The focus of tertiary prevention is on rehabilitation and the management of effects caused by the disease, rather than preventing the initial occurrence or early stages of the disease itself, which would be the focus of primary and secondary prevention. Therefore, activities such as cardiac rehab and kidney screening align well with the goals of tertiary prevention.