Which activity is part of tertiary level preventive care?

• A. Using a sheltered colony
• B. Providing selective placement
• C. Providing rehabilitation services in outpatient clinics
• D. Providing work therapy in hospitals

Answer: (D)

Tertiary prevention aims to minimize disability and restore function after a disease or injury has occurred. Work therapy in hospitals fits this best because it involves structured rehabilitation within the inpatient setting to retrain physical and cognitive abilities and help a patient return to work and independent daily life. It directly targets reducing the impact of the illness on functioning, which is the core goal of tertiary care.

The other options focus more on accommodation, placement decisions, or outpatient rehab. While outpatient rehabilitation also supports recovery, hospital-based work therapy is the clearest, classic example of tertiary prevention in action, as it intervenes during acute or early recovery to lessen long-term disability.