DCF 40 Hours Child Care (HSAN) Health, Safety, and Nutrition-(Fall) Graded A+

Appetite - ANSWER A desire to eat. Isolation Area - ANSWER A designated area for a child who becomes ill at the facility, which must be away from the other, healthy children. Safety Hazards - ANSWER Things in the environment that can be identified as dangerous to one's health and welfare. Communicable Disease - ANSWER Disease that can be spread from one person to another. Disinfect - ANSWER To kill germs on surfaces or objects by using chemicals. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove all germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection. Impermeable Surface - ANSWER A surface that is resistant to water, chemicals, and other fluids. These surfaces are required in areas such as changing stations, playpens, cots, and sleeping mats. Vaccine - ANSWER A product that protects an individual from contracting an infectious disease by stimulating their immune system. Health - ANSWER The total well-being of a person—including the physical, mental, and social self—in the absence of disease or other abnormal conditions. Clean - ANSWER To remove dirt, debris, and germs by scrubbing and washing with soap (or detergent) and water. The process does not necessarily kill germs, but lowers the risk of spreading infection. Evacuation Plan - ANSWER Procedures for getting children and staff out of a building; applied during fire drills and other emergency situations. Immunizations - ANSWER The process of administering a vaccine to make an individual protected from contracting an infectious disease. Nutrition - ANSWER The processes by which a person, animal, or plant takes in and utilizes food substances. Sanitize - ANSWER The process of destroying or reducing organisms to a safe level; including properly cleaned equipment and surfaces, such as sinks and sleep mats. Child care programs have a responsibility to maintain an environment that will promote children's health. What is health? - ANSWER Health is the total well-being of the child—including the physical, emotional, social, and mental self—in the absence of disease or abnormal conditions. Characteristics of a healthy environment that promote good health practices include: - ANSWER -Clean work and play areas -Proper hygiene practices -Implementation and routine practice of a written health policy Written policies regarding health practices are essential to maintaining a healthy environment in your child care program. - ANSWER -All policies should be accessible to all staff -At hire, employees should be given a copy of the policies -Rules should be posted and given to families Why is it important to have policies written? - ANSWER -To ensure parents and child care professionals are aware of procedures -To make sure everyone follows the same rules Establishing and following a written policy is an effective way of maintaining a safe and healthy child care program. - ANSWER Following your program's written health policies will help to ensure that the children in your care have an environment that is as free of disease as possible. Observation - ANSWER plays an essential role in determining a healthy environment and assists the caregiver in assessing the state of a child's health. A healthy child - ANSWER has a good appetite, appearance, and activity level. How are each of the senses used to observe a child? - ANSWER We can use our senses—sight, touch, sound, and smell—when checking for signs of wellness and/or illness. Sight - ANSWER - look at the child's complexion; observe for signs of pain or discomfort, such as limping, droopy eyes, or a runny nose Sound - ANSWER - listen to how the child is breathing, or if they are coughing or sniffling; listen to their words about how they are feeling Touch - ANSWER - does the child feel warm to the touch; does the child flinch when you touch them Smell - ANSWER - pay attention to how the child smells; for example, their breath Why is it important to use more than one sense at a time to observe warning signs? - ANSWER You cannot make a complete observation based on one small detail. For example, a red eyelid may not mean the presence of pink eye. Appetite - ANSWER -Can eat an appropriate amount of food at meal times -Will consume a variety of foods -Is interested in eating -Appears content after meals and snacks Appearance - ANSWER -Has clear, bright eyes -Has clear skin -Has age-appropriate muscles -Gains steadily in height and body weight Activity - ANSWER -Has plenty of energy (not hyperactive) -Is alert -Sleeps soundly -Has few aches and pains An emotionally healthy child - ANSWER usually reflects happy, cheerful feelings. A socially healthy child - ANSWER is friendly most of the time, interacts with other children, and enjoys quiet activities that require concentration. A mentally healthy child - ANSWER is interested in new experiences, and is usually confident and adaptable. The three A's of a healthy child are: - ANSWER Appetite, Appearance, and Activity. The term "special needs" - ANSWER refers to children who have medical, physical, emotional, or behavioral conditions that delay or affect development. Short term illness - ANSWER requires special attention for a brief period of time. Short-term illness vs. long term illness - ANSWER -Ear infection vs. hearing loss -A common cold vs. asthma -A sprained ankle vs. a foot deformity -Distress over a fight with another child vs. depression caused by a significant life event Sick Child - ANSWER -Weepy or red eyes -Sores, unusual spots, or rashes -Looks tired -Poor appetite -Appears distressed Healthy Child - ANSWER -Clear, bright eyes -Clear skin -Active -Typical growth and weight gain -Appears happy/content When making a health assessment it is important to observe a child's - ANSWER behavior, face, and body characteristics Daily health checks are a good way of - ANSWER preventing, identifying, and controlling illness in a child care environment. The main goals are - ANSWER to know the children in your care and to provide good care. Daily health checks will help you - ANSWER know your children's routine behavior, reduce the spread of infection, draw attention to children with obvious signs of illness, and foster good communication with parents. The (Behavior) signs to observe in a daily health check - ANSWER -General mood (unusually quiet, irritable, drowsy, or restless) -Unusual behavior -Activity level -Breathing difficulties (labored) -Severe coughing or sneezing -Hoarseness The (Physical) signs to observe in a daily health check - ANSWER -Skin color (flushed or pale, dry or clammy, hot) -Unusual spots, rashes -Swelling or bruises -Sores -Discharge from nose, ears, eyes -Eyes red, irritated, sensitive to light Other signs observed in children as part of a daily health check - ANSWER -Fever (over 101oF, taken orally) -Vomiting (all, or even part, of food consumed recently) -Bowel movement changes (changes in color, odor, frequency) -Pain (screaming, crying, head-rolling) -Skin Marks (rashes, bruises) A daily health checklist - ANSWER is beneficial to caregivers because it helps track patterns that alert caregivers to warning signs. It is important to remember - ANSWER -Daily health checks are essential for ensuring the health of children in care -Children's health records are confidential Fever - ANSWER may be a warning sign that the body has an infection and needs treatment before the infection can become harmful. You should take a child's temperature when the child is displaying symptoms such as: - ANSWER -Warm or hot to the touch -Sweating more than usual -Flushed appearance -Sleepiness -Unusual breathing -Poor appetite -May be more thirsty than usual We know a child has a fever by taking the child's temperature - ANSWER -under the arm and getting a reading of 100 degrees F -under the tongue and getting a reading of 101 degrees F Remember, as child care professionals, - ANSWER our job is to identify possible signs, NOT to diagnose. Signs of Dehydration - ANSWER -Dry to very dry mouth -Little or no tears when crying -Less active than usual, or very fussy -Infant will wet less than six diapers a day; a child will make fewer trips to the restroom than he/she normally does Signs of Severe Dehydration - ANSWER -Eyes will appear to be sunken -Hands and feet will be cool and blotchy -Pulse may seem weak and fast -Child will not urinate for hours The steps to prevent dehydration are dependent on the child's symptoms, and can include: - ANSWER -For mild diarrhea, do not give milk; it has a high concentration of minerals and salt, which could be dangerous to a child with diarrhea. -For vomiting, stop giving solid food, and give water at thirty- to sixty-minute intervals. -For both diarrhea and vomiting, stop the child's normal diet and discuss with parents. -Do not give a child sports drinks or any other similar drinks made for adults. In cases of diarrhea or vomiting - ANSWER -make sure you monitor the child's food and drink intake so you can relay this information to parents or a health care provider. -Take and record the child's temperature in short, regular intervals. -Write observations about bowel movement frequency, color, and characteristics. -Lastly, ensure you are in early and frequent communication with the child's parents. Heat exhaustion - ANSWER can occur when someone is exposed to high temperatures and strenuous physical activity. Without prompt treatment, heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke, which is life threatening. Heat exhaustion symptoms - ANSWER -excessive sweating -rapid pulse rate -cool, moist skin -dizziness -faintness -muscle cramps -headache -nausea Steps to treating heat exhaustion: - ANSWER 1. The child's emergency contact should be notified. 2. Lay the person down in a cool and quiet place, with feet raised a little bit. 3. Loosen any tight clothing. Supply water or sports drinks to drink. 4. Use other cooling measures, such as towels soaked in cool water as compresses. 5. If signs of symptoms worsen or do not improve within an hour, seek medical attention. Seek immediate medical attention if the person's body temperature reaches 104 degrees or higher. Heat stroke symptoms - ANSWER -body's temperature rapidly rises to 104 degrees F -person becomes flushed, with hot, dry skin -strong, rapid pulse -quickly becomes confused or unconscious. Heat Stroke Instructions - ANSWER 1. Call 9-1-1 (also child's emergency contact should be notified immediately) 2. Remove clothing and wrap the person in a cold, wet sheet; or sponge them with cold or tepid water. 3. Fan the person, either by hand, with an electric fan, or with a hair dryer set to cold. 4. When his or her temperature drops to 101 degrees F, place the person in the recovery position. 5. Cover the person with a dry sheet and continue to fan. If his or her temperature rises again, repeat the cooling procedure. For their well-being and for the prevention of illness and disease within your program - ANSWER It is important to recognize and respond appropriately to signs of illness in the children in your care List four types of germs: - ANSWER bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites Communicable disease - ANSWER is one that can be spread from one person to another. This usually results from the interaction between people, the environment, and germs. A communicable disease, also known as an infectious disease, is spread from one person to another. Bacteria - ANSWER are small organisms seen with an ordinary microscope. They can cause strep throat, impetigo, pink eye, and some types of pneumonia. Antibiotics are used to help stop their growth. Viruses - ANSWER are smaller than bacteria and only grow in living cells. They can cause colds, chickenpox, measles, German measles and mumps. Antibiotics have no effect on viruses. Rest is the best action because the body fights better when rested. Vaccines against certain viruses are available. Fungi - ANSWER grow best in warm, moist places. It can cause athlete's foot and ringworm. Effective medication is available and works best when conditions favorable to fungal growth are removed. Parasites - ANSWER are organisms that live on or in animals and people, and benefit by deriving nutrients at the expense of the host. Some common examples include pinworms, roundworms, and head lice. There are effective medications available for most types of parasites. List the 4 ways illnesses and diseases are transmitted - ANSWER -Respiratory system -Bowel movements -Direct contact -Blood borne illnesses