Final answer:
The nurse is performing tertiary level of prevention, which focuses on helping individuals manage long-term health problems to maintain or improve quality of life, especially relevant for survivors of abuse.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse working with a group of abused women to enhance their levels of self-esteem is performing a tertiary level of prevention. This level of prevention aims to soften the impact of an ongoing illness or injury that has lasting effects. It helps individuals achieve as much normal function as possible, fostering productivity and enhancing quality of life.
In the context of abuse, tertiary prevention might include support groups, counseling, and empowerment strategies that help survivors deal with their trauma, rebuild their lives, and prevent further harm. It is different from primary prevention, which prevents the onset of illness or injury before it occurs, and secondary prevention, which aims to reduce the impact of a disease or injury that has already occurred.