OAE Early Childhood Education Health, Safety, and Nutrition 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A child in your class is diagnosed with pinkeye (bacterial conjunctivitis). Which action is MOST appropriate?
- Allow the child to stay if eye drops are administered at school
- Exclude the child until a healthcare provider clears them or symptoms resolve per policy (Correct answer)
- Clean the child's eye with a damp cloth and continue normal activities
- Notify parents at the end of the day and advise them to monitor symptoms
Correct answer: Exclude the child until a healthcare provider clears them or symptoms resolve per policy
Bacterial conjunctivitis is highly contagious; most childcare exclusion policies require removal until the child is cleared by a provider or has completed 24 hours of antibiotic treatment.
Question 2: Which of the following is the CORRECT procedure for administering prescribed medication to a child in a licensed childcare center?
- Any staff member may administer medication when requested verbally by a parent
- Medication may be given only with written parent authorization, in original labeled container, per the prescriber's instructions, and documented in a log (Correct answer)
- Teachers may split doses to reduce side effects if the prescribed amount seems large
- Over-the-counter medications need no parental consent if the child asks for them
Correct answer: Medication may be given only with written parent authorization, in original labeled container, per the prescriber's instructions, and documented in a log
Medication administration in childcare requires written parental consent, original labeled packaging, adherence to prescriber instructions, and documentation for liability and safety.
Question 3: A toddler is found unresponsive and not breathing normally. After calling 911, what should a trained caregiver do NEXT?
- Place the child in the recovery position and wait for EMS
- Begin pediatric CPR starting with 30 chest compressions then 2 rescue breaths (Correct answer)
- Administer a dose of epinephrine from the first-aid kit
- Perform the Heimlich maneuver immediately
Correct answer: Begin pediatric CPR starting with 30 chest compressions then 2 rescue breaths
Current AHA guidelines recommend starting CPR with 30 compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths (30:2 ratio) for a single rescuer with an unresponsive child.
Question 4: Which of the following BEST supports the development of healthy eating habits in preschoolers, according to Ellyn Satter's Division of Responsibility in Feeding?
- Require children to finish all food on their plate before leaving the table
- Reward children with dessert for eating vegetables
- Adults decide what, when, and where food is offered; children decide whether and how much to eat (Correct answer)
- Allow children to graze on snacks freely throughout the day
Correct answer: Adults decide what, when, and where food is offered; children decide whether and how much to eat
Satter's Division of Responsibility framework maintains adult authority over food structure while respecting children's autonomy over intake, supporting long-term healthy eating.
Question 5: Which of the following is an example of a PRIMARY prevention strategy for childhood injury in an early childhood setting?
- Providing first aid after a playground fall
- Installing safety gates at staircases before injuries occur (Correct answer)
- Referring an injured child to a specialist
- Completing an incident report after a child is hurt
Correct answer: Installing safety gates at staircases before injuries occur
Primary prevention eliminates hazards before injuries occur; installing safety gates proactively reduces the risk of falls.
Question 6: Which sunscreen guideline is MOST appropriate for children in an early childhood outdoor program?
- Apply SPF 15 once in the morning and it will last all day
- Use SPF 30 or higher, apply 15–30 minutes before sun exposure, and reapply every 2 hours (Correct answer)
- Sunscreen is unnecessary for children with darker skin tones
- Apply sunscreen only when UV index exceeds 10
Correct answer: Use SPF 30 or higher, apply 15–30 minutes before sun exposure, and reapply every 2 hours
The AAP recommends SPF 30+ broad-spectrum sunscreen, applied before going out and reapplied every 2 hours or after swimming/sweating, for all children.
Question 7: A lead teacher observes that a child consistently avoids the snack table, eats very little, and appears lethargic. What is the MOST appropriate first step?
- Force the child to eat to ensure adequate nutrition
- Document observations and communicate concerns to the family and health consultant (Correct answer)
- Give the child extra snacks to compensate for missed meals
- Assume the child is a picky eater and take no action
Correct answer: Document observations and communicate concerns to the family and health consultant
Persistent changes in appetite combined with lethargy may signal a health or developmental concern; systematic documentation and family communication are the appropriate professional response.
OAE Early Childhood Education Health, Safety, and Nutrition 4
A child in your class is diagnosed with pinkeye (bacterial conjunctivitis).
Which action is MOST appropriate?