NORCET -4 , 2023: Which of the following statement is TRUE about Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC)?

NORCET -4 , 2023

Child Health Nursing (Pediatrics)

Easy

Appeared in: NORCET -4 , 2023

Explanation

Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is a comprehensive care package for low-birth-weight infants, and the correct option accurately lists its three key pillars.
Exclusive Breastfeeding: KMC promotes lactation and makes frequent, on-demand feeding easier, which is crucial for establishing exclusive breastfeeding.
Early Discharge: By empowering mothers to care for their stable LBW infants, KMC reduces the duration of hospital stays, which in turn lowers costs and the risk of hospital-acquired infections.
Prevention of Hypothermia: The continuous skin-to-skin contact between the mother and infant is a highly effective and natural way to maintain the baby's body temperature and prevent life-threatening hypothermia.

Option B: This option is less precise. While KMC does involve early initiation of breastfeeding, the ultimate nutritional goal and formal component is 'exclusive breastfeeding'.
Option C: This statement contains a direct contradiction. A major benefit and goal of KMC is to facilitate early discharge, not late discharge.
Option D: While KMC does help prevent hypoglycemia by facilitating frequent feeding and reducing cold stress, the primary and most emphasized thermal benefit is the prevention of hypothermia.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Components and benefits of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
KMC is a high-impact, low-cost intervention that significantly reduces mortality and morbidity in low-birth-weight infants, especially in resource-limited settings.
A nurse's role is critical in educating mothers and families about the benefits of KMC, teaching the correct positioning and feeding techniques, and providing the support and confidence needed for early discharge and home care.
What if the infant is too unstable for continuous KMC? In such cases, intermittent KMC sessions can be initiated for short durations once the baby is stable enough (e.g., not requiring significant respiratory support), gradually increasing the duration as the baby's condition improves.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core subject of the question, which is 'Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC)'.
Recall or look for the fundamental components of KMC. Most standardized health programs define it with specific pillars.
Break down each option into its three parts: (1) feeding type, (2) discharge timing, and (3) primary benefit.
Evaluate each part of the option against your knowledge of KMC. For example, does KMC promote early or late discharge? Does it focus on exclusive breastfeeding?
Eliminate options that contain an incorrect component. For instance, 'late discharge' is incorrect, so any option containing it can be ruled out.
Compare the remaining options to find the most accurate and complete statement. The best answer will correctly identify all three key aspects of the KMC package.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Ghai Essential Pediatrics(pp 26-904 of 913) p. 147-149

E6 Comprehensive Textbook of Community Health NursingShyamala D part 1 (pp 26-389 of 389) p. 171-174