Exclusive breastfeeding helps in?

NHM UP Staff Nurse - 2016

Child Health Nursing (Pediatrics)

Easy

Appeared in: NHM UP Staff Nurse - 2016

Explanation

Exclusive breastfeeding is a comprehensive health intervention that provides multiple benefits to the infant.
It significantly reduces the risk of diarrhoeal diseases by providing anti-infective agents like secretory IgA and lactoferrin, and by avoiding contaminated water or formula.
It lowers the incidence of respiratory tract infections through the transfer of maternal antibodies and immune cells.
It strengthens the newborn's immune system by delivering a host of immunological components, especially in the colostrum.
Because it provides all these benefits, 'All of the above' is the most accurate and complete answer.

Option A: This option is correct, but it is incomplete. While controlling diarrhoea is a major benefit of exclusive breastfeeding, it is not the only one.
Option B: This option is also correct but incomplete. Preventing respiratory infections is a key advantage, but breastfeeding offers a wider range of protections.
Option C: This option is a correct and broad statement, as improving the immune system is the underlying mechanism for many benefits. However, the 'All of the above' option is more specific and encompassing by including the direct outcomes of that improved immunity (controlling diarrhoea and preventing respiratory infections).

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Benefits of Exclusive Breastfeeding as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a crucial role in educating and supporting mothers to initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of birth and continue exclusively for six months, as recommended by WHO and UNICEF.
Counseling on proper latching and positioning is a key nursing intervention to prevent common problems like sore nipples and ensure adequate milk transfer.
Patient safety involves advising against giving prelacteal feeds, water, or formula, as these can introduce pathogens and interfere with the establishment of a good milk supply.

How to Approach the Question

First, read the question stem carefully to identify the core topic: 'Exclusive breastfeeding'.
Next, analyze the options provided: A) Controlling Diarrhoea, B) Preventing respiratory tract infections, C) Improving immunity system, D) All of the above.
Evaluate each of the first three options based on your nursing knowledge. Recall that breastfeeding provides passive immunity and is a sterile source of nutrition.
Recognize that controlling diarrhoea, preventing respiratory infections, and improving immunity are all well-established benefits of exclusive breastfeeding.
When you identify that more than one of the individual options (A, B, C) is correct, the 'All of the above' option (D) becomes the most likely correct answer.
Select 'All of the above' as it is the most comprehensive and accurate choice, encompassing all the correct statements.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Ghai Essential Pediatrics(pp 26-904 of 913) p. 140-142

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 2 — Subpart A (pp 1-232 of 464) p. 34-36

E6 Nutrition Kumud Khanna 2e p. 126-128