What is the primary goal of the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) strategy?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The primary goal of the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) strategy is to reduce child mortality and morbidity. This strategy focuses on providing holistic care to children, including early detection and treatment of common childhood illnesses. By improving healthcare access and quality, IMCI aims to decrease the number of children dying from preventable diseases. Explanation: A: Reducing the incidence of childhood diseases is important but not the primary goal of IMCI. The strategy is more focused on reducing mortality and morbidity. B: Improving nutritional status is essential for child health but is not the primary goal of IMCI. D: Promoting exclusive breastfeeding is a key component of child health but is not the primary goal of IMCI.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Folic acid. Folic acid is critical for preventing neural tube defects as it is essential for proper development of the neural tube in the fetus. It helps in the formation of the baby's brain and spinal cord. Iron (A) is important for preventing anemia, not neural tube defects. Calcium (B) is crucial for bone health but not directly related to neural tube development. Vitamin D (D) is important for calcium absorption, but not specifically for preventing neural tube defects. Overall, folic acid stands out as the most critical nutrient for this purpose.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Exclusive focus on curative care. Primary Health Care (PHC) emphasizes preventive, promotive, and rehabilitative services rather than solely focusing on curative care. Curative care is just one aspect of healthcare but not the sole focus of PHC. Community participation (A), use of appropriate technology (B), and equitable distribution of resources (C) are all essential components of PHC as they contribute to comprehensive and accessible healthcare for all.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Airborne. Tuberculosis is primarily transmitted through the air via droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets contain the bacteria that cause TB, which can then be inhaled by others and infect their lungs. This mode of transmission is supported by scientific evidence and is the most common way TB spreads. Choice A: Vector-borne is incorrect because tuberculosis is not transmitted by insects or animals. Choice C: Waterborne is incorrect as TB is not typically spread through contaminated water. Choice D: Fecal-oral is incorrect since TB bacteria are not typically found in feces and transmitted through oral ingestion.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Nutritional counseling. Prenatal care focuses on ensuring the health of both the mother and the developing baby. Proper nutrition is essential for the well-being of both, as it supports the baby's growth and development and helps prevent complications for the mother. Nutritional counseling provides guidance on maintaining a balanced diet, taking necessary supplements, and managing any dietary restrictions during pregnancy. Routine immunizations (A) are important but not typically a primary component of prenatal care. Surgical interventions (C) and radiologic exams (D) are generally avoided during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary due to potential risks to the fetus. Therefore, B is the most essential component for prenatal care.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Vaccination. Vaccination is the most effective method for preventing the spread of infectious diseases because it helps build immunity against specific pathogens, reducing the likelihood of infection and transmission. Vaccines train the immune system to recognize and fight off harmful microorganisms. Antibiotic treatment (A) is used to treat bacterial infections, not prevent the spread of diseases. Quarantine (B) is effective in isolating infected individuals but does not prevent the initial spread of diseases. Nutritional supplementation (D) can support overall health but is not a direct method for preventing infectious diseases.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The recommended duration of exclusive breastfeeding is 6 months. This is because breast milk provides all the necessary nutrients for an infant's growth and development in the first 6 months of life. Introducing solid foods too early can increase the risk of infections and allergies. Choice A (3 months) is not ideal as it may not provide sufficient nutrients for the baby's growth. Choices C (9 months) and D (12 months) exceed the recommended duration and may not be necessary for exclusive breastfeeding, as other foods can be introduced after 6 months.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Sunken fontanelle. Dehydration in infants can cause the fontanelle, the soft spot on the baby's head, to appear sunken. This is due to decreased fluid levels in the body. Sunken fontanelle is a common and easily identifiable sign of dehydration in infants. The other choices are incorrect because frequent urination is not typically associated with dehydration in infants, excessive drooling can be a normal part of teething, and increased appetite is not a specific sign of dehydration in infants.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Integrated case management of childhood illnesses. This is a key component of the IMCI (Integrated Management of Childhood Illness) strategy, which focuses on a holistic approach to managing common childhood illnesses at the primary healthcare level. IMCI includes assessing and classifying sick children, providing appropriate treatments, counseling caregivers, and ensuring follow-up care. This strategy aims to reduce childhood morbidity and mortality by improving the quality of care provided to children. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as they do not directly align with the key component of the IMCI strategy. Promoting hospital-based care (A) may not be feasible or sustainable in resource-limited settings where primary healthcare is crucial. Providing routine immunizations (B) is important but is not the primary focus of the IMCI strategy. Enhancing maternal nutrition (C) is essential for maternal and child health but is not a key component of the IMCI strategy, which specifically targets childhood illnesses.