Shakir's tape is used to measure?

Appeared in: NHM MP Staff Nurse-2019

Explanation

Shakir's tape is a specialized tool designed for a single purpose: measuring the Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC).
The measurement is used as a rapid screening method to identify nutritional status, particularly acute malnutrition, in children aged 6-59 months.
The tape's distinct color-coding (red, yellow, green) allows for immediate interpretation by healthcare workers without complex calculations.
The procedure involves wrapping the tape around the midpoint of the left upper arm, between the shoulder (acromion) and the elbow (olecranon).

Option A: Length is a measure of height (recumbent for infants). It is measured with an infantometer or stadiometer, not a flexible tape like Shakir's tape.
Option B: Head circumference is measured to assess brain growth, especially in the first two years of life. A standard, non-stretchable measuring tape is used for this.
Option D: Chest circumference is measured with a standard measuring tape at the nipple line. While it's an anthropometric measurement, it's not the primary use of a Shakir's tape.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Use of Shakir's tape for anthropometric measurement as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
MUAC is a critical indicator in community health and emergency settings because it is a better predictor of mortality risk in children than weight-for-height.
Its simplicity allows community health workers (like ASHA workers in India) to perform rapid screenings for malnutrition, enabling early intervention and reducing child mortality.
What if? A child has a MUAC of 11 cm but shows no other signs of illness? The red zone reading alone is a definitive criterion for Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and requires immediate referral for therapeutic feeding, even without other visible symptoms.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: 'Shakir's tape'. This is a specific piece of medical equipment.
This is a factual recall question. The task is to remember the specific function of this tool.
Consider the options. Length, head, and chest circumference are all standard anthropometric measurements.
Recall or deduce that a specialized, named tape like 'Shakir's' is likely for a specific screening purpose rather than a general measurement.
Connect 'Shakir's tape' with its well-known use in nutritional screening, which is done by measuring the Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC).

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Comprehensive Textbook of Community Health NursingShyamala D part 1 (pp 26-389 of 389) pp. 313-315, 311-313

E6 Ghai Essential Pediatrics(pp 26-904 of 913) p. 9-11

Practise the full NHM MP Staff Nurse-2019

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.