NORCET -4 , 2023: 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) for every sleep is the single most effective action to lower the risk of SIDS.
The supine position keeps the infant's airway open and reduces the chance of rebreathing exhaled carbon dioxide, which can occur when face-down.
Global public health campaigns like "Back to Sleep" have promoted this practice, leading to a dramatic decrease in SIDS-related deaths.
Studies show that infants sleeping on their backs have no increased risk of choking; in fact, their airway anatomy protects them better in this position.

Option B: This is a significant non-modifiable risk factor. A history of SIDS in a sibling increases the risk for subsequent siblings by as much as five times.
Option C: Lying on the abdomen (prone position) is a major modifiable risk factor for SIDS. It is the position associated with the highest risk.
Option D: The side-lying position is also a high-risk factor. It is an unstable position from which an infant can easily roll onto their stomach (prone), further increasing the risk.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Risk factors and prevention for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
Nurses have a critical responsibility to educate new parents and caregivers about safe sleep practices before hospital discharge and during well-child visits.
Education must be clear and consistent: 'Back to Sleep' for every sleep, use a firm sleep surface, and keep the crib free of soft objects and loose bedding.
What if a parent reports that the infant sleeps better on their stomach? The nurse must gently but firmly reiterate the safety guidelines, explaining that the infant's comfort preference does not outweigh the significant risk of SIDS associated with prone sleeping.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key phrase in the question: 'low risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)'. This means you are looking for a protective factor or the safest option.
Recall the primary public health message for SIDS prevention, which is the 'Back to Sleep' campaign.
Evaluate each option against this core principle.
Option A, 'Child lying on back,' directly aligns with the 'Back to Sleep' recommendation and is the safest position.
Options C ('lying on abdomen') and D ('sleeping in side lying') are explicitly identified as high-risk sleep positions.
Option B ('history of previous child has SIDS') is a known epidemiological risk factor, not a low-risk situation.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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

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