Which nutrient is most critical for preventing neural tube defects during pregnancy?
- A. Iron
- B. Calcium
- C. Folic acid
- D. Vitamin D
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.
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Which nutrient is known to reduce the risk of neural tube defects when taken by pregnant women?
- A. Vitamin C
- B. Vitamin D
- C. Folic acid
- D. Iron
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Folic acid. Folic acid is essential for fetal development, especially in preventing neural tube defects. It aids in the formation of the neural tube, which develops into the baby's brain and spinal cord. Pregnant women are advised to take folic acid supplements to reduce the risk of these defects.
Rationale for other choices:
A: Vitamin C - While important for overall health, Vitamin C does not specifically reduce the risk of neural tube defects.
B: Vitamin D - Important for bone health, but not directly linked to reducing neural tube defects.
D: Iron - Necessary for preventing anemia during pregnancy, but not specifically known to reduce the risk of neural tube defects.
Which of the following practices can help reduce the transmission of HIV from mother to child?
- A. Exclusive breastfeeding
- B. Administering antiretroviral therapy
- C. Using unsterilized medical equipment
- D. Avoiding prenatal care
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Administering antiretroviral therapy. Antiretroviral therapy helps reduce the viral load in the mother, decreasing the risk of transmitting HIV to the child during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. It is a proven method recommended by the World Health Organization.
A: Exclusive breastfeeding can increase the risk of HIV transmission to the child if the mother is HIV positive.
C: Using unsterilized medical equipment can increase the risk of HIV transmission.
D: Avoiding prenatal care can lead to missed opportunities for prevention and treatment interventions.
Which of the following is an essential nutrient required for preventing neural tube defects?
- A. Iron
- B. Vitamin C
- C. Calcium
- D. Folic acid
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.
What is the primary aim of the Family Planning Program?
- A. To improve infant nutrition
- B. To reduce maternal mortality
- C. To prevent sexually transmitted infections
- D. To provide couples with the information and means to control fertility
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: To provide couples with the information and means to control fertility. This is because the primary aim of the Family Planning Program is to empower individuals with the knowledge and resources to make informed decisions about family size and spacing. This includes access to contraceptives, education about reproductive health, and support for family planning choices.
A: To improve infant nutrition - This is not the primary aim of the Family Planning Program, although family planning can indirectly contribute to better infant nutrition by spacing births appropriately.
B: To reduce maternal mortality - While family planning can help reduce maternal mortality by preventing unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions, it is not the primary aim of the program.
C: To prevent sexually transmitted infections - Although promoting safe sex practices is important in family planning, preventing STIs is not the primary aim of the program.
Which of the following practices is part of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI)?
- A. Promoting the use of infant formula
- B. Encouraging skin-to-skin contact after birth
- C. Separating mother and baby after delivery
- D. Scheduling feedings at fixed intervals
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Encouraging skin-to-skin contact after birth. This practice is part of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) as it promotes bonding, initiates breastfeeding, and helps regulate the baby's temperature and breathing. Skin-to-skin contact also supports the establishment of breastfeeding and enhances maternal-infant attachment.
Incorrect Choices:
A: Promoting the use of infant formula - This goes against the BFHI, which promotes exclusive breastfeeding.
C: Separating mother and baby after delivery - BFHI encourages keeping mother and baby together to promote bonding and breastfeeding.
D: Scheduling feedings at fixed intervals - BFHI promotes feeding on demand to support breastfeeding and responsive feeding practices.