Which of the following child has low risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)?

NORCET -4 , 2023

Child Health Nursing (Pediatrics)

Easy

Appeared in: NORCET -4 , 2023

Explanation

Placing an infant on their back (supine position) to sleep is the single most effective action to lower the risk of SIDS.
The supine position helps keep the infant's airway open and reduces the risk of suffocation or rebreathing exhaled air (carbon dioxide).
This recommendation is the basis of the global 'Safe to Sleep' (formerly 'Back to Sleep') public health campaign, which has led to a dramatic reduction in SIDS-related deaths.
Studies show that infants sleeping on their backs do not have more episodes of choking or aspiration compared to other positions.

Option B: A history of SIDS in a sibling is a significant non-modifiable risk factor that increases the risk for subsequent siblings.
Option C: Placing a child on their abdomen (prone position) to sleep is one of the most significant modifiable risk factors for SIDS.
Option D: The side-lying position is unstable and is considered a high-risk factor because the infant can easily roll onto their stomach.

Visual 1: Infographic: Safe Sleep Environment for Infants. This visual should clearly depict an infant in the correct supine position in a crib with a firm mattress and no soft bedding, pillows, or toys. It should also show unsafe positions (prone, side-lying) and environments (soft bedding, co-sleeping) with clear 'Do Not' labels.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Risk factors for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
Nurses have a critical responsibility to provide clear, consistent, and evidence-based education to parents and caregivers about SIDS prevention and safe sleep practices before hospital discharge.
Modeling correct behavior is essential; nurses should always place infants on their backs to sleep in the nursery to reinforce teaching.
What if? If an infant has a specific medical condition, such as certain upper airway anomalies where the risk of airway obstruction is higher in the supine position, a physician may prescribe a different sleep position. This is a rare exception and requires a specific medical order.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key concept of the question: identifying the scenario with the 'low risk' for SIDS.
Systematically evaluate each option against established SIDS risk factors.
Recall the 'Safe to Sleep' campaign, which strongly advocates for placing infants on their backs (supine). This immediately identifies 'Child lying on back' as a protective factor, hence low risk.
Recognize that prone sleeping, side sleeping, and a family history of SIDS are all well-documented, significant risk factors.
By elimination and direct knowledge, conclude that the only low-risk option is the supine sleeping position.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Risk factors for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Stem keywords: low risk, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, SIDS, child
Lead-in keywords: Which
Clinical cues: Age/sex group narrows the expected diagnosis, intervention, or normal reference range.
Negative lead-in flag: false

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