The role of a PHN in national programme for prevention of nutritional blindness includes all of the following… - PGICH Noida NO-2025

PGICH Noida NO-2025

Community Health Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: PGICH Noida NO-2025

Explanation

The statement that Vitamin A should be withheld in children with measles is incorrect, making it the answer to this 'EXCEPT' question.
Measles infection significantly depletes the body's Vitamin A stores, increasing the risk of severe complications like corneal ulceration (keratomalacia), blindness, and death.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and national guidelines strongly recommend administering a therapeutic dose of Vitamin A to all children diagnosed with measles to prevent eye damage and reduce mortality.
This intervention helps restore Vitamin A levels, reduces the severity of the disease, and lowers the risk of death.

Option A: This is a correct statement. The programme guidelines specify continuing Vitamin A supplementation until the child is 5 years old to build and maintain adequate liver stores during critical growth years.
Option B: This is a correct statement. After the initial dose at 9 months, subsequent doses of 200,000 IU are given every 6 months to maintain protection.
Option D: This is a correct statement. The first dose of 100,000 IU is timed with the measles vaccination at 9 months to improve compliance and ensure early protection.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain National Programme for Prevention of Nutritional Blindness and Vitamin A Prophylaxis as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
As a Public Health Nurse, accurately administering the Vitamin A schedule is a key responsibility in preventing childhood blindness and reducing child mortality.
Patient education is crucial. Nurses must explain to caregivers the importance of completing the full Vitamin A schedule and bringing the child for each dose.
Recognizing the signs of Vitamin A deficiency (e.g., night blindness, Bitot's spots) and measles is a critical nursing skill for timely intervention.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core subject of the question, which is the 'National Programme for Prevention of Nutritional Blindness' and the role of a PHN.
Next, notice the keyword 'EXCEPT'. This means you are looking for the statement that is false or incorrect among the given options.
Evaluate each option against your knowledge of the Vitamin A supplementation schedule and guidelines.
Option A (continue till 5 years) is a known guideline. Option B (200,000 IU every 6 months) is the standard subsequent dose. Option D (100,000 IU at 9 months with measles vaccine) is the standard first dose.
Analyze Option C (withhold during measles). Recall the pathophysiology of measles, which depletes Vitamin A. Withholding the vitamin would be harmful. This contradicts established best practices.
Therefore, the incorrect statement is the correct answer to this 'EXCEPT' question.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: National Programme for Prevention of Nutritional Blindness and Vitamin A Prophylaxis
Stem keywords: Public Health Nurse (PHN), national programme, nutritional blindness, Vitamin A
Lead-in keywords: EXCEPT
Negative lead-in flag: The question asks for the statement that is NOT part of the guidelines, making it an exception.

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