Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 7

Now that you have completed this study session, you can assess how well you have achieved its Learning Outcomes by answering these questions. Write your answers in your Study Diary and discuss them with your Tutor at the next Study Support Meeting. You can check your answers with the Notes on the Self-Assessment Questions at the end of this Module.

SAQ 7.1 (tests Learning Outcomes 7.1, 7.2, 7.4 and 7.5)

A mother asks you what it means when you say a child is malnourished. How would you explain this term?

Answer

You might say that a child is malnourished if he or she is not getting enough nutrients. (You might want to explain what a nutrient is.) This may be because their diet is inadequate or because they are frequently ill. The nutrients they are lacking may be proteins or micronutrients such as vitamin A or iron. (Again, you might want to explain protein and micronutrient.)

SAQ 7.2 (tests Learning Outcomes 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3)

What is the difference between malnutrition and anaemia? What signs would you look for in each case?

Answer

Malnutrition occurs when a person does not get enough nutrients. Anaemia can be caused by a lack of specific nutrients in the diet (as well as by infections or blood loss). And the signs are different. To assess for malnutrition you would look for signs of severe wasting, measure the MUAC, and look for oedema (depending on the age of the child). But you would check for anaemia by looking for palmar pallor.

SAQ 7.3 (tests Learning Outcome 7.1, 7.2, 7.4 and 7.5)

How can you be sure that a child does not have acute malnutrition?

Answer

You can be sure a child is not suffering from acute malnutrition if there is no visible severe wasting, no pitting oedema of the feet, and the MUAC is greater than 12 cm.

Summary of Study Session 7