Which of the following is an essential nutrient required for preventing neural tube defects?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Folic acid. Folic acid is essential for preventing neural tube defects because it plays a crucial role in DNA synthesis and cell division, particularly during early fetal development. Adequate folic acid intake before and during pregnancy can significantly reduce the risk of neural tube defects. Iron (A), Vitamin C (B), and Calcium (C) are important nutrients for overall health but do not have a direct role in preventing neural tube defects. Iron is vital for red blood cell production, Vitamin C is an antioxidant that supports the immune system, and Calcium is essential for bone health. However, for preventing neural tube defects specifically, folic acid is the essential nutrient.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Frequent handwashing. Handwashing is essential for preventing the spread of healthcare-associated infections as it helps remove and kill harmful bacteria and viruses. By washing hands regularly, healthcare workers can reduce the risk of transmitting infections between patients. Sharing medical equipment (B) can actually increase the spread of infections. Reducing patient turnover (C) can help minimize exposure, but without proper hand hygiene, infections can still spread. Increasing hospital bed capacity (D) is unrelated to preventing infections. Therefore, A is the most effective practice for infection control.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Emphasizes community participation. Primary Health Care is a holistic approach that focuses on involving the community in decision-making and care delivery. This empowers individuals and communities to take charge of their health. Choice A is incorrect as Primary Health Care prioritizes comprehensive and generalist care over specialized care. Choice C is incorrect as Primary Health Care aims to provide care at the grassroots level, not solely relying on hospital-based services. Choice D is incorrect as Primary Health Care places a strong emphasis on preventive measures to promote overall health and well-being.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Ensuring skilled attendance at birth. This is a key component of the Safe Motherhood Initiative as it focuses on providing trained healthcare professionals during childbirth to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates. This ensures that complications during labor can be promptly identified and managed, improving outcomes for both mother and baby. A: Promoting exclusive breastfeeding is important for infant health but is not specifically a component of the Safe Motherhood Initiative. B: Providing routine immunizations is crucial for child health but not directly related to maternal care during childbirth. D: Offering genetic counseling is valuable for families at risk of genetic disorders but is not a primary focus of the Safe Motherhood Initiative.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: To provide immunizations to all children. The primary aim of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) is to ensure that all children receive essential vaccinations to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases. This program focuses on increasing vaccination coverage and reaching all children, especially those in underserved populations. Providing immunizations to all children helps in reducing the spread of infectious diseases and contributes to overall public health. Incorrect choices: A: To eliminate non-communicable diseases - This is not the primary aim of EPI. EPI primarily focuses on preventing communicable diseases through vaccinations. B: To increase hospital bed capacity - This is not the primary goal of EPI. Increasing hospital bed capacity is related to healthcare infrastructure, not vaccination programs. D: To train more healthcare workers - While training healthcare workers is important for delivering immunizations, it is not the primary aim of EPI. The main goal is to provide vaccinations to all children.