American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) Practice Exam 2025 - Free ABPN Practice Questions and Study Guide

The correct choice of tertiary prevention is based on the understanding of how chronic medication for schizophrenia functions within the spectrum of prevention strategies in healthcare. Tertiary prevention refers to the measures taken to manage and reduce the impact of a disease that has already occurred and is often characterized by ongoing treatment to alleviate symptoms and improve functioning.

In the case of schizophrenia, individuals often require long-term management and treatment with antipsychotic medications to control symptoms, prevent relapses, and improve their quality of life. This aligns perfectly with the goals of tertiary prevention, which include rehabilitation, support, and minimizing the effects of the mental illness on a patient's daily activities.

In contrast, primary prevention aims to prevent the onset of disease through interventions like education and vaccination, while secondary prevention focuses on early detection and intervention to halt the progression of an illness. Malingering is a behavioral concept unrelated to prevention strategies—it refers to the intentional production of false or exaggerated symptoms for external incentives. Thus, ongoing medication for an established condition such as schizophrenia aligns with the principles of tertiary prevention, as it addresses the needs of individuals managing a long-term mental health disorder.