Chapter 3 of 712% of exam

Health Promotion and Maintenance

Health Promotion and Maintenance addresses the nurse's role in supporting wellness across the lifespan through screening, immunization, growth and development, and lifestyle counseling. The nurse teaches clients to prevent disease and detect problems early.

Health Screening Across the Lifespan

Routine screening detects disease early when it is most treatable. The nurse teaches age-appropriate schedules for cancer and chronic disease screening.

Colorectal screening at 45

Average-risk adults begin colorectal cancer screening at age 45.

Cervical screening

Women aged 30 may have a Pap test every three years or human papillomavirus co-testing at extended intervals.

Do not wait for symptoms

Screening aims to detect disease before symptoms appear.

Individualize by risk

Family history and personal risk factors may warrant earlier or more frequent screening.

Immunization Principles

Vaccines prevent communicable disease, but live vaccines carry special precautions. The nurse teaches recommended schedules and contraindications.

Avoid live vaccines in pregnancy

MMR and varicella are live attenuated vaccines contraindicated during pregnancy.

Recommend inactivated vaccines in pregnancy

Inactivated influenza and Tdap protect the mother and newborn.

Screen for contraindications

Assess for immunosuppression and severe allergy before administering vaccines.

Educate on schedules

Teach the recommended childhood and adult immunization timelines.

Growth and Development

The nurse assesses expected milestones to identify delays early. Milestones span motor, language, and social domains.

Infant milestones

By 12 months, infants pull to stand, cruise, and may take first steps.

Introduce solids around 6 months

Start solid foods when the infant sits with support and has lost the tongue-thrust reflex.

Toddler and preschool language

A 4-year-old speaks in short sentences that strangers can understand.

Recognize red flags

Loss of skills or major delays warrant further developmental evaluation.

Prenatal and Newborn Care

The nurse supports healthy pregnancy and infant feeding through education on weight gain, nutrition, and hydration signs. Early guidance improves outcomes.

Guide pregnancy weight gain

A woman of normal weight is advised to gain about 25 to 35 pounds.

Support breastfeeding

Six or more wet diapers a day indicate adequate infant hydration.

Teach newborn feeding cues

Encourage feeding on demand and monitor output and weight.

Promote prenatal nutrition

Encourage folic acid intake and a balanced diet to support fetal development.

Lifestyle Counseling

The nurse promotes healthy behaviors including diet, exercise, and avoidance of tobacco and excess alcohol. Nonjudgmental counseling supports behavior change.

Promote heart-healthy diet

Encourage fish, vegetables, and whole grains while limiting saturated fat and sodium.

Recommend regular activity

Most adults benefit from about 150 minutes of moderate activity weekly plus balance and strength work.

Support tobacco cessation

Help clients set a quit date and use behavioral and pharmacologic support.

Advise moderate alcohol

Moderate intake is up to one drink daily for women and two for men.

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Last updated: November 2026

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