CDC Health, Safety & Nutrition 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A child in your care develops a rash after eating a snack. What is the FIRST action you should take?
- Call 911 immediately
- Separate the child and notify parents while monitoring for worsening symptoms (Correct answer)
- Give the child an antihistamine from the first aid kit
- Wait 30 minutes to see if the rash resolves on its own
Correct answer: Separate the child and notify parents while monitoring for worsening symptoms
Separating the child, monitoring symptoms, and promptly notifying parents are the correct first steps for a suspected allergic reaction.
Question 2: What is the recommended ratio of caregivers to infants (under 12 months) in most US state-licensed daycare settings?
- 1:2
- 1:4 (Correct answer)
- 1:6
- 1:8
Correct answer: 1:4
A 1:4 caregiver-to-infant ratio is the most commonly recommended standard, though some states require 1:3.
Question 3: Which practice best prevents the spread of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) in a daycare setting?
- Administering antiviral medication to exposed children
- Frequent handwashing and disinfecting toys and surfaces (Correct answer)
- Isolating all children during an outbreak for 14 days
- Requiring children to wear gloves during play
Correct answer: Frequent handwashing and disinfecting toys and surfaces
HFMD spreads through contact with secretions, so consistent handwashing and surface disinfection are the primary prevention strategies.
Question 4: According to USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) guidelines, which food is NOT recommended for children under 12 months?
- Pureed sweet potatoes
- Iron-fortified infant cereal
- Cow's milk as the main beverage (Correct answer)
- Breast milk
Correct answer: Cow's milk as the main beverage
Cow's milk should not replace breast milk or formula as the main beverage for infants under 12 months due to nutritional inadequacy and potential kidney strain.
Question 5: A playground surface should have a minimum depth of how many inches of loose-fill material (e.g., wood chips) under equipment that is 8 feet high?
- 3 inches
- 6 inches
- 9 inches
- 12 inches (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 12 inches
The CPSC recommends at least 12 inches of loose-fill material under equipment up to 8 feet high to reduce fall-related injuries.
Question 6: What is the correct steps order for diapering a child in a licensed childcare facility?
- Put on gloves, remove soiled diaper, clean child, apply fresh diaper, remove gloves, wash hands
- Remove soiled diaper, clean child, wash hands, apply fresh diaper
- Wash hands, put on gloves, remove soiled diaper, clean child, apply fresh diaper, wash hands (Correct answer)
- Put on gloves, wash hands, remove soiled diaper, clean child, apply fresh diaper
Correct answer: Wash hands, put on gloves, remove soiled diaper, clean child, apply fresh diaper, wash hands
Proper diapering procedure requires washing hands first, then gloving, changing, discarding properly, and washing hands again at the end.
Question 7: Which of the following is a sign of heat stroke (as opposed to heat exhaustion) in a child?
- Heavy sweating and pale skin
- Muscle cramps and dizziness
- High body temperature above 104°F with hot, dry skin (Correct answer)
- Nausea and excessive thirst
Correct answer: High body temperature above 104°F with hot, dry skin
Heat stroke is characterized by a very high body temperature (≥104°F) and the absence of sweating, indicating the body's cooling mechanism has failed.
CDC Health, Safety & Nutrition 2
A child in your care develops a rash after eating a snack.
What is the FIRST action you should take?