Which of the following statement is TRUE about Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC)?

NORCET -4 , 2023

Child Health Nursing (Pediatrics)

Medium

Appeared in: NORCET -4 , 2023

Explanation

Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is a comprehensive care model for low-birth-weight infants.
One of its core components is 'Kangaroo Nutrition,' which specifically promotes exclusive breastfeeding.
Another key component is 'Kangaroo Discharge,' which allows for early discharge from the hospital once the infant is stable.
A primary physiological benefit of the skin-to-skin contact in KMC is effective thermal regulation, which is crucial for the prevention of hypothermia in vulnerable infants.

Option B: While early initiation of breastfeeding is a good practice and often occurs with KMC, the specific nutritional component of the KMC model is defined as 'exclusive breastfeeding'. 'Early initiation' is less precise.
Option C: This statement includes 'late discharge,' which is incorrect. A major advantage of KMC is that it facilitates early discharge of stable low-birth-weight infants from the hospital.
Option D: While KMC does contribute to metabolic stability and can help prevent hypoglycemia, its most prominent and well-documented benefit is the prevention of hypothermia through direct thermal regulation.

Visual 1: Infographic - A mother practicing Kangaroo Mother Care, showing the correct skin-to-skin positioning of the baby on her chest, secured with a wrap. The infographic should label the key components: Skin-to-skin contact, Exclusive Breastfeeding, and Early Discharge.

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 powerful, low-cost, high-impact nursing intervention that significantly reduces mortality and morbidity in low-birth-weight and preterm infants, especially in resource-limited settings.
Nurses play a crucial role in educating, counseling, and supporting mothers and families to initiate and continue KMC, both in the hospital and at home.
What if the baby is hemodynamically unstable? KMC is initiated only after the baby is stable. For unstable infants, care is provided in a radiant warmer or incubator, though short sessions of KMC may be possible during recovery depending on the infant's condition.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept of the question, which is Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC).
Recall the main components and benefits of KMC. The model is typically described with three key parts: Kangaroo Position (skin-to-skin), Kangaroo Nutrition (exclusive breastfeeding), and Kangaroo Discharge (early discharge).
Evaluate each option by comparing its elements to the known components of KMC.
Option A includes 'Exclusive breastfeeding,' 'early discharge,' and 'prevention of hypothermia,' all of which are central to KMC.
Eliminate the other options based on inaccuracies: Option C contains 'late discharge,' which is incorrect. Options B and D mention correct but less precise or less primary benefits compared to the combination in Option A.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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