Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 12

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 12.1 (tests Learning Outcomes 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 and 12.4)

How do you decide whether a child who comes to the health post should be immunized?

Answer

First of all you need to check the child’s age, and then consult the immunization schedule which tells you which vaccinations are due and when.

Then you need to check the immunization of the child against this schedule, either using the immunization card if the mother has brought it, or by asking the mother.

Once you know what vaccinations have been missed or are due now, you need to be sure that the child does not have AIDS, has not reacted badly to the previous dose of a vaccine, or have active neurological disease.

If a child is being referred, you should leave the vaccination to staff at the referral unit.

Read Case Study 12.2 and then answer the questions below.

Case Study 12.2 for SAQ 12.2

Kelkay is three months old. She has no general danger signs. She is classified as having diarrhoea with no dehydration and she has anaemia.

Immunization history: BCG, OPV0, OPV1, and DPT1-HepB1-Hib1. OPV1 and DPT1-HepB1-Hib1 given five weeks ago.

SAQ 12.2 (tests Learning Outcomes 12.2, 12.3 and 12.4)

  • a.What immunizations, if any, would you give Kelkay today?
  • b.What advice would you give to Kelkay’s mother and why?

Answer

  • a.This question was asking you to decide whether Kelkay needed any immediate immunizations or not, and to give reasons for your answers. You should have identified that her immunizations are not up-to-date. This means that she needs OPV2 and DPT2-HepB2-Hib2 today. However, do not record OPV2 since she has diarrhoea currently and it needs to be repeated during the next immunization visit.
  • b.You should advise the mother that it is important that she ensures Kelkay is brought for her future vaccinations at the right age. You should tell her that she needs to return to the health post after four weeks (at four months of age) to receive DPT3-HepB3-Hib3 and repeat OPV2 immunizations.

Read Case Study 12.3 and then answer the questions below.

Case Study 12.3 for SAQ 12.3

Tahir is 15 months old. He has no general danger signs. He is classified as having no pneumonia: cough or cold and no anaemia and not very low weight for his age. He has completed his full immunization programme, including measles vaccine at nine months of age, when he also took a dose of vitamin A.

SAQ 12.3 (tests Learning Outcomes 12.1, 12.3 and 12.5)

  • a.What do you do for Tahir during this visit?
  • b.What advice do you need to give to Tahir’s mother?

Answer

  • a.Tahir has completed his immunization schedule and does not need additional vaccines. However, he had the last dose of vitamin A six months ago (at nine months of age). You should give the appropriate dose of vitamin A today.
  • b.You should advise the mother that it is important that she ensures Tahir is brought for his next dose of vitamin A after six months, and a dose of Mebendazole to treat worm infections when he is 2 years old. Tell her that he needs to return to the health post every six months to get both these treatments until he is five years old.

Summary of Study Session 12