Answers 2026-2027 Updated.
1. Explain why written policies are important in 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.
2. Identify the characteristics of a healthy child care environment. - Answer -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: - Answer -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. - Answer skin 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 - Answer occurs 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 - Answer Dry 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 - Answer Symptoms 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 - Answer a 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 - Answer a 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 - Answer Small organisms seen with an ordinary microscope. Can cause strep
throat, impetigo, pink eye, and some pneumonia. Antibiotics help stop growth.
6d. Parasites - Answer Organisms 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. - Answer 1. 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. - Answer 1. 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 documentation for each child on record at the child care program.
3. Immunization and Universal Precautions-recommended vaccines on time and must provide
documentation of those vaccinations.
9. Define "Standard Precautions" and give three examples of how to use it in a child care
program. - Answer a set of infection control practices used to prevent transmission of diseases
that can be acquired by contact with blood, bodily fluids, non-intact skin, and mucous
membranes.