Questions and Answers!
Your Training Resource

December 2007-January 2008, Volume 11, Issue 1

In Sickness & Health: Managing MRSA

How is Staph most commonly transmitted? Indirect contact through towels, bandages, or surfaces used by an infected person.

Can a person have staph without symptoms? Yes. One in every three persons carries staph on the skin or in the nose.

How serious is MRSA? Most cases are mild and heal by themselves. There are antibiotics to treat MRSA.

How can I prevent MRSA? Follow basic sanitation procedures, including handwashing.

Safety First: Using Storybooks to Teach Safety

Why are storybooks useful in teaching safety? The combination of words and illustrations help children understand concepts.

Identify a story book related to (list safety topic). Answers may vary; teachers may choose to identify a book with which they are already familiar.

Nutrition Action: Preventing Choking on Foods

Why are young children more likely to experience choking? Children have more difficulty swallowing and chewing, children may stuff large amounts of food in their mouths, children may be socializing or playing and not pay attention.

What are some foods that may cause choking? Grapes, hot dogs, popcorn, raisins, peanut butter, chunks of meat, hard candy, nuts, etc.

Can children eat these potentially choking foods? Yes, provided the foods are cut and prepared in a way to reduce choking hazards.

Medicine Chest: Physical Well-being & Motor Development

Identify five items included in the health history. Results of dental, vision, hearing, lead and other screenings, family history, medications or special care, allergies, etc.

Identify three concerns of outdoor environments. Resilient surfacing on playgrounds, age-appropriate equipment, adequate supervision, free running space, etc.

Identify three concerns of indoor environments. Save equipment, easy to sanitize, furniture arrangement, air quality, temperature, handwashing facilities, safe toys, etc.

What role can caregivers play? Role modeling, awareness of available community resources, communicating with families, etc.

Health & You: Morning Sickness

How long does morning sickness usually last? It is generally only in the first trimester.

Does morning sickness affect the unborn child? No, unless it is so severe that the mother cannot take in proper nutrition.

List three ways to help relieve morning sickness? Small meals throughout the day, avoid fatty foods or rich foods, etc (answers may vary).