Which one of the following babies is eligible for Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC)?

Appeared in: PGIMER Chandigarh NO - 2015

Explanation

Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is a method of care for low birth weight (LBW) infants, defined as weighing less than 2500 grams.
The most critical prerequisite for initiating KMC is that the infant must be hemodynamically stable.
Hemodynamic stability means the infant has a stable heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation, and is not suffering from an acute illness that requires intensive medical intervention.
This option combines both essential criteria: the correct patient population (LBW) and the necessary clinical state (hemodynamically stable).

Option A: A baby weighing 1000g is a candidate for KMC based on weight, but being in an incubator suggests the baby may not be stable enough. Stability is a mandatory prerequisite that is not mentioned.
Option B: A baby weighing 2.6 kg (2600 grams) is not classified as low birth weight (LBW), which has a cutoff of less than 2500 grams. KMC is specifically an intervention for LBW infants.
Option D: Sickness is a direct contraindication for KMC. Sick infants require intensive monitoring and care, often under a radiant warmer, until they are stable.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Eligibility Criteria for Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
A key nursing responsibility is the continuous assessment of the LBW infant's stability (respiratory effort, heart rate, temperature) to determine readiness for KMC.
Nurses play a vital role in educating and counseling mothers and families on the KMC procedure, its benefits, and how to monitor the baby during skin-to-skin contact.
What if? If a stable baby on KMC suddenly shows signs of distress (e.g., apnea, bradycardia, color change), the immediate nursing action is to terminate the KMC session, return the infant to a radiant warmer or incubator for stabilization, and notify the physician.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept of the question, which is 'Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC)'.
Recall the primary eligibility criteria for KMC from your nursing knowledge. The two main points are low birth weight and clinical stability.
Evaluate each option against these criteria.
Option A mentions weight but implies instability (in an incubator).
Option B has an incorrect weight (not LBW).
Option D explicitly states the baby is sick, a contraindication.

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

Practise the full PGIMER Chandigarh NO - 2015

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.