Deck 4: Caring for Children With Special Medical Conditions

Question 1

Describe the ways in which febrile, absence, partial, and tonic-clonic seizures differ.

Answer 1

Some children suffer from seizures, the most common of which are: febrile, absence, partial seizures, and generalized or tonic-clonic seizures. Febrile seizures are experienced by children aged 6 months through 5 years, mostly commonly occurring in children between 6 and 12 months of age. These seizures are thought to be triggered by high fevers and present with symptoms including loss of consciousness and involuntary jerking. Once the fever subsides the seizures typically end and are believed to not cause any lasting damage.
Absence seizures are characterized by momentary lapses of attention; these may be observed as day dreaming, staring off into space, a blank facial expression, fluttering of the eyelashes, interruption of speech or activity, or twitching and dropping objects. Absence seizures cause a brief (roughly 20 second) loss of consciousness and brief interruption of activity that is resumed once the seizure subsides. These seizures occur commonly in children aged 4 through 10 years. Most children cannot recall what occurred during the episode.
Partial seizures are the most common seizure disorder among children. These seizures are characterized by involuntary muscle movement, ranging from weakness to unusual behaviors (lip smacking, laughing, body tremors). Children may lose consciousness, although some do not. They may or may not recall the event after it has occurred.
General, or tonic-clonic seizures, are characterized by rhythmic, jerky movements of the entire body. Children may experience a sensory warning, such as a familiar smell or sound, before a seizure begins. The body becomes rigid (tonic) prior to loss of consciousness and tremors or muscular contractions (clonic). Once the seizure ends, the child may awaken confused but will not remember what occurred.
Febrile seizures tend to occur only in infants; these seizures are thought to be triggered by fevers, unlike other types of seizures. Children having absence, partial, and general seizures may experience lasting damage as a result of the seizure. While all seizures present with some type of involuntary muscle activity, the nature of the movement is different for each type of seizure.

Question 2

Promoting Children's Health: Teacher Takes Care of Child with Asthma
Many children struggle with allergen sensitivities and asthma. The smaller size of their airway makes breathing especially difficult t during an attack, so it is important that teachers be prepared to respond. As you watch the learning video, Promoting Children's Health: Teacher Takes Care of Child with Asthma , consider the following questions:
Why didn't the teacher insist that the child use his medicated inhaler immediately

Answer 2

Asthma attacks may be triggered by many factors known as allergens. An asthma attack may be relieved by removing the child from exposure to the allergen that is triggering the attack. In these instances, it is possible for the child to find relief without the use of medication. This step, when possible, should always be taken before administering medication. If the child still seems to be experiencing difficulty, medication should be administered.

Question 3

Discuss factors that may be contributing to an increased incidence of childhood allergies and asthma.

Answer 3

There are many factors that may be contributing to the increased incidence of allergies and asthma among children. Some researchers believe vitamin D deficiency may be one cause of the increased incidence of allergies and asthma; vitamin D is important for immune system and lung development. As children spend more time indoors, more children experience vitamin D deficiency and possibly develop allergies and/or asthma. As a result of spending more time indoors, children are also exposed to more indoor pollutants such as second-hand cigarette smoke, pet dander, mold, and dust mites. Obesity is also believed to contribute to the development of asthma among children; as obesity rates among children increase so do asthma rates.

Question 4

Promoting Children's Health: Teacher Takes Care of Child with Asthma
Many children struggle with allergen sensitivities and asthma. The smaller size of their airway makes breathing especially difficult t during an attack, so it is important that teachers be prepared to respond. As you watch the learning video, Promoting Children's Health: Teacher Takes Care of Child with Asthma , consider the following questions:
What steps had the teacher taken to prepare herself in the event the child might experience an asthma attack

Question 5

Lui arranged to take his first grade class on a field trip to a nearby nature park after they had spent several weeks learning about small mammals living in the wild. The day was warm and sunny, and the children were bubbling with excitement as they completed a short hike around the beaver ponds. As they headed back to the picnic shelter for lunch, one of the children who had run ahead let out a sudden shriek and fell to the ground. The teacher quickly ran to the child and observed that she was unconscious and her arms and legs were jerking violently. Mr. Lui sent one of the other children to get the park ranger, calmed the rest of the children down, and then used his cell phone to call 911 for emergency medical assistance. Within minutes, the seizure ended and the child regained consciousness. When the paramedics arrived, they checked the child over carefully and were satisfied that she required no additional treatment at the time. Mr. Lui contacted the child's family and learned that her doctor had recently prescribed a new seizure medication.
What signs, in addition to the jerky movements, might you expect to observe during and immediately following this type of seizure

Question 6

Although accidents are the leading overall cause of child mortality, the majority of disease-related deaths among children are due to:
a. heart disease
b. infection
c. cancer
d. allergic reactions

Preschool: IEP and Transition Planning for a Young Child with Special Needs
Transitioning between schools and programs can be an unsettling experience for children and their families. Children are more likely to experience success when their current and new teachers meet to share information about an individual child's needs and developmental progress.
In what ways do teachers serve as children's advocates

Question 7

What are the early warning signs of diabetes What resources are available in your community to help teachers improve their understanding of this condition and also learn how to administer injections

Question 8

Explain how a child's environment may contribute to the development and progression of chronic health conditions.

Question 9

Lui arranged to take his first grade class on a field trip to a nearby nature park after they had spent several weeks learning about small mammals living in the wild. The day was warm and sunny, and the children were bubbling with excitement as they completed a short hike around the beaver ponds. As they headed back to the picnic shelter for lunch, one of the children who had run ahead let out a sudden shriek and fell to the ground. The teacher quickly ran to the child and observed that she was unconscious and her arms and legs were jerking violently. Mr. Lui sent one of the other children to get the park ranger, calmed the rest of the children down, and then used his cell phone to call 911 for emergency medical assistance. Within minutes, the seizure ended and the child regained consciousness. When the paramedics arrived, they checked the child over carefully and were satisfied that she required no additional treatment at the time. Mr. Lui contacted the child's family and learned that her doctor had recently prescribed a new seizure medication.
Should Mr. Lui have called for emergency assistance Would you expect his response to be different if he had known that the child was being treated for a seizure disorder

Question 10

Explain how you can determine if a child's symptoms are due to a cold or an allergy

Question 11

Discuss what teachers can do to support a child who has recently undergone cancer treatment and is ready to return to school.

Question 12

Lui arranged to take his first grade class on a field trip to a nearby nature park after they had spent several weeks learning about small mammals living in the wild. The day was warm and sunny, and the children were bubbling with excitement as they completed a short hike around the beaver ponds. As they headed back to the picnic shelter for lunch, one of the children who had run ahead let out a sudden shriek and fell to the ground. The teacher quickly ran to the child and observed that she was unconscious and her arms and legs were jerking violently. Mr. Lui sent one of the other children to get the park ranger, calmed the rest of the children down, and then used his cell phone to call 911 for emergency medical assistance. Within minutes, the seizure ended and the child regained consciousness. When the paramedics arrived, they checked the child over carefully and were satisfied that she required no additional treatment at the time. Mr. Lui contacted the child's family and learned that her doctor had recently prescribed a new seizure medication.
What steps should Mr. Lui take when the child's seizure ends

Question 13

It is 10 am and six children are lined up on small plastic chairs in the director's office at the Wee Care 4 Kids Child Care Center. Steam hisses from clear plastic masks being held by older children over their noses and mouths while a teacher assists those who are still too young to manage the procedure alone. All of these children have one thing in common- asthma. Twice each day, teachers must administer nebulizer breathing treatments to increasing numbers of young children who suffer from frequent wheezing. Unfortunately, this sceneis not uncommon in many schools today, as the reported incidence of childhood asthma continues to soar.
Think About This:
What is asthma, and why are the numbers of children with this condition increasing
Why does the incidence of asthma appear to be higher among minorities and children living in poverty
Should teachers be responsible for administering medical procedures to children
What would you do if you observed a teacher administering a nebulizer treatment incorrectly

Question 14

Lui arranged to take his first grade class on a field trip to a nearby nature park after they had spent several weeks learning about small mammals living in the wild. The day was warm and sunny, and the children were bubbling with excitement as they completed a short hike around the beaver ponds. As they headed back to the picnic shelter for lunch, one of the children who had run ahead let out a sudden shriek and fell to the ground. The teacher quickly ran to the child and observed that she was unconscious and her arms and legs were jerking violently. Mr. Lui sent one of the other children to get the park ranger, calmed the rest of the children down, and then used his cell phone to call 911 for emergency medical assistance. Within minutes, the seizure ended and the child regained consciousness. When the paramedics arrived, they checked the child over carefully and were satisfied that she required no additional treatment at the time. Mr. Lui contacted the child's family and learned that her doctor had recently prescribed a new seizure medication.
How can Mr. Lui turn this event into a learning experience for the other children

Question 15

Explain the process involved in securing intervention services for a child who you suspect may have a significant hearing impairment.

Question 16

According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education (Improvement) Act (IDEA) guidelines, learning goals, intervention recommendations, evaluative documentation, and improvement outcomes for a 2-year-old child would be outlined in an individualized __________ plan.
a. health services
b. curriculum
c. family service
d. education

Question 17

Divide into small groups. Each group should develop a case study to illustrate one of the chronic health conditions described in this chapter. The case study should include a description of the condition-its cause, symptoms, effects on the child and family, and classroom strategies for ensuring the child's successful inclusion. Have groups take turns reading, critiquing, and discussing each other's case studies.

Question 18

Preschool: IEP and Transition Planning for a Young Child with Special Needs
Transitioning between schools and programs can be an unsettling experience for children and their families. Children are more likely to experience success when their current and new teachers meet to share information about an individual child's needs and developmental progress.
In what ways do teachers serve as children's advocates

Question 19

Lui arranged to take his first grade class on a field trip to a nearby nature park after they had spent several weeks learning about small mammals living in the wild. The day was warm and sunny, and the children were bubbling with excitement as they completed a short hike around the beaver ponds. As they headed back to the picnic shelter for lunch, one of the children who had run ahead let out a sudden shriek and fell to the ground. The teacher quickly ran to the child and observed that she was unconscious and her arms and legs were jerking violently. Mr. Lui sent one of the other children to get the park ranger, calmed the rest of the children down, and then used his cell phone to call 911 for emergency medical assistance. Within minutes, the seizure ended and the child regained consciousness. When the paramedics arrived, they checked the child over carefully and were satisfied that she required no additional treatment at the time. Mr. Lui contacted the child's family and learned that her doctor had recently prescribed a new seizure medication.
What type of seizure was this child probably experiencing

Question 20

Preschool: IEP and Transition Planning for a Young Child with Special Needs
Transitioning between schools and programs can be an unsettling experience for children and their families. Children are more likely to experience success when their current and new teachers meet to share information about an individual child's needs and developmental progress.
2. What steps did the preschool teacher take to put Mark's parents more at ease during the IEP transition meeting

Question 21

Explain why some chronic health conditions may be difficult to recognize.

Question 22

Preschool: IEP and Transition Planning for a Young Child with Special Needs
Transitioning between schools and programs can be an unsettling experience for children and their families. Children are more likely to experience success when their current and new teachers meet to share information about an individual child's needs and developmental progress.
What is the purpose of a transition meeting How do children benefit from these meetings

Question 23

Develop an emergency response plan for a child who has a seizure disorder and discuss how it would be implemented in the classroom.

Question 24

Promoting Children's Health: Teacher Takes Care of Child with Asthma
Many children struggle with allergen sensitivities and asthma. The smaller size of their airway makes breathing especially difficult t during an attack, so it is important that teachers be prepared to respond. As you watch the learning video, Promoting Children's Health: Teacher Takes Care of Child with Asthma , consider the following questions:
What symptoms led the teacher to believe the child was experiencing an asthma attack

Question 25

Lui arranged to take his first grade class on a field trip to a nearby nature park after they had spent several weeks learning about small mammals living in the wild. The day was warm and sunny, and the children were bubbling with excitement as they completed a short hike around the beaver ponds. As they headed back to the picnic shelter for lunch, one of the children who had run ahead let out a sudden shriek and fell to the ground. The teacher quickly ran to the child and obse rvedthat she was unconscious and her arms and legs were jerking violently. Mr. Lui sent one of the other children to get the park ranger, calmed the rest of the children down, and then used his cell phone to call 911 for emergency medical assistance. Within minutes, the seizure ended and the child regained consciousness. When the paramedics arrived, they checked the child over carefully and were satisfied that she required no additional treatment at the time. Mr. Lui contacted the child's family and learned that her doctor had recently prescribed a new seizure medication
What indication did the child give of a preceding aura

Question 26

Promoting Children's Health: Teacher Takes Care of Child with Asthma
Many children struggle with allergen sensitivities and asthma. The smaller size of their airway makes breathing especially difficult t during an attack, so it is important that teachers be prepared to respond. As you watch the learning video, Promoting Children's Health: Teacher Takes Care of Child with Asthma , consider the following questions:
What events may have triggered the attack