Health, Safety, and Nutrition: Questions and Answers
1. Explain why written policies are important in maintaining a safe and healthy child care program? -
ansFollowing 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.
2. Identify the characteristics of a healthy child care environment. - ans-clean work and play areas
-proper hygiene practices
-implementation and routine practice of a written health policy
3. List the three A's of a healthy child and describe each briefly: - ans-good appetite: 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: has clear, bright eyes. Has clear skin. Has age-appropriate muscles. Gains steadily height and body
weight.
-activity level: has plenty of energy (not hyperactive). Is alert. Sleeps soundly. Has few aches and pains.
4. List some of the most common signs and symptoms you might see in a child who is experiencing illness while
in your care. - ansskin color (flushed or pale, dry or clammy hot)
unusual spots, rashes, swellings, or bruises, sores, discharge from nose, ears, eyes, red eyes, irritated, sensitive
to light, severe coughing or sneezing, hoarseness, activity level, unusual behavior, general mood (unusually
quiet, irritable, drowsy, or restless.
Healthy child: clear, bright eyes, clear skin, active, typical growth and weight gain, appears happy/content.
Sick child: weepy or red eyes, sores, unusual spots of rashes, looks tired, poor appetite, appears distressed.
5a.
Heat stroke - ansoccurs because of prolonged exposure to very hot conditions. The mechanism in the brain that
regulates body temperature stops functioning, and the body's temperature rapidly rises to 104 degrees F. The
person becomes flushed, with hot, dry skin and strong, rapid pulse. He or she quickly becomes confused or
unconscious.
5b. Dehydration - ansDry to very dry mouth. Little or no tears when crying. Less active than usual, or very fussy.
, Infant will wet less than 6 diapers a day; a child will make fewer trips to the restroom than he normally does.
Eyes are sunken. Hands and feet are cool and blotchy. Pulse may seem weak and fast. Child will not urinate for
hours.
5c. Heat Exhaustion - ansSymptoms may include excessive sweating and a rapid pulse rate. Other symptoms
may include: cool, moist skin, dizziness, faintness, muscle cramps, headache and nausea.
6a. fungi - ansa germ that grows best in warm, moist places. Can cause athlete's foot and ringworm. Effective
medication is available. Medications work best when conditions favorable to fungal growth are removed.
6b. viruses - ansa germ that is smaller than bacteria. Grows only in living cells. Can cause colds, chicken pox,
measles, German measles, mumps. Antibiotics have no effect. Rest is the best action; body fights better when
rested. Vaccines against common ones are available.
6c. Bacteria - ansSmall organisms seen with an ordinary microscope. Can cause strep throat, impetigo, pink eye,
and some pneumonia. Antibiotics help stop growth.
6d. Parasites - ansOrganisms that live on or in animals and people. Common examples include pinworms,
roundworms, head lice. Effective medications are available for most parasites.
7. List the four methods through which diseases are transmitted. - ans1. Respiratory system, entering through
the nose and throat and transmitted through nasal or throat discharges. Some examples of illness that are
transmitted this way are the common cold, flu, strep throat, and chicken pox.
2. Bowel movements and contact with soiled hands or objects in the mouth. Examples of illnesses that are
transmitted this way are salmonella and hepatitis A.
3. Direct Contact: with an infected area or infested body area can transmit diseases such as impetigo,
ringworm, head lice, or scabies.
4. Blood borne illnesses such as HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B and C can be transmitted through contact with blood.
8. list one out of the three ways of preventing disease. - ans1. isolation-keep child safe and comfortable until
the parent or guardian picks him/her up. Under direct supervision.
2. Written policies- there are religious and philosophical objections to immunization, but there must be proper
1. Explain why written policies are important in maintaining a safe and healthy child care program? -
ansFollowing 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.
2. Identify the characteristics of a healthy child care environment. - ans-clean work and play areas
-proper hygiene practices
-implementation and routine practice of a written health policy
3. List the three A's of a healthy child and describe each briefly: - ans-good appetite: 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: has clear, bright eyes. Has clear skin. Has age-appropriate muscles. Gains steadily height and body
weight.
-activity level: has plenty of energy (not hyperactive). Is alert. Sleeps soundly. Has few aches and pains.
4. List some of the most common signs and symptoms you might see in a child who is experiencing illness while
in your care. - ansskin color (flushed or pale, dry or clammy hot)
unusual spots, rashes, swellings, or bruises, sores, discharge from nose, ears, eyes, red eyes, irritated, sensitive
to light, severe coughing or sneezing, hoarseness, activity level, unusual behavior, general mood (unusually
quiet, irritable, drowsy, or restless.
Healthy child: clear, bright eyes, clear skin, active, typical growth and weight gain, appears happy/content.
Sick child: weepy or red eyes, sores, unusual spots of rashes, looks tired, poor appetite, appears distressed.
5a.
Heat stroke - ansoccurs because of prolonged exposure to very hot conditions. The mechanism in the brain that
regulates body temperature stops functioning, and the body's temperature rapidly rises to 104 degrees F. The
person becomes flushed, with hot, dry skin and strong, rapid pulse. He or she quickly becomes confused or
unconscious.
5b. Dehydration - ansDry to very dry mouth. Little or no tears when crying. Less active than usual, or very fussy.
, Infant will wet less than 6 diapers a day; a child will make fewer trips to the restroom than he normally does.
Eyes are sunken. Hands and feet are cool and blotchy. Pulse may seem weak and fast. Child will not urinate for
hours.
5c. Heat Exhaustion - ansSymptoms may include excessive sweating and a rapid pulse rate. Other symptoms
may include: cool, moist skin, dizziness, faintness, muscle cramps, headache and nausea.
6a. fungi - ansa germ that grows best in warm, moist places. Can cause athlete's foot and ringworm. Effective
medication is available. Medications work best when conditions favorable to fungal growth are removed.
6b. viruses - ansa germ that is smaller than bacteria. Grows only in living cells. Can cause colds, chicken pox,
measles, German measles, mumps. Antibiotics have no effect. Rest is the best action; body fights better when
rested. Vaccines against common ones are available.
6c. Bacteria - ansSmall organisms seen with an ordinary microscope. Can cause strep throat, impetigo, pink eye,
and some pneumonia. Antibiotics help stop growth.
6d. Parasites - ansOrganisms that live on or in animals and people. Common examples include pinworms,
roundworms, head lice. Effective medications are available for most parasites.
7. List the four methods through which diseases are transmitted. - ans1. Respiratory system, entering through
the nose and throat and transmitted through nasal or throat discharges. Some examples of illness that are
transmitted this way are the common cold, flu, strep throat, and chicken pox.
2. Bowel movements and contact with soiled hands or objects in the mouth. Examples of illnesses that are
transmitted this way are salmonella and hepatitis A.
3. Direct Contact: with an infected area or infested body area can transmit diseases such as impetigo,
ringworm, head lice, or scabies.
4. Blood borne illnesses such as HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B and C can be transmitted through contact with blood.
8. list one out of the three ways of preventing disease. - ans1. isolation-keep child safe and comfortable until
the parent or guardian picks him/her up. Under direct supervision.
2. Written policies- there are religious and philosophical objections to immunization, but there must be proper
