Free Common Childhood Illnesses MCQs with Answers

• A. Respiratory rate above 40 per minute
• B. Respiratory rate above 20 per minute
• C. Mild nasal discharge without fever
• D. Cough lasting for two days

Explanation: For a child aged 12 months to 5 years, 40 breaths per minute or more indicates fast breathing.

• A. Give oral fluids and review later
• B. Arrange urgent referral after initial care
• C. Teach the mother to use a steam inhalation
• D. Administer an oral antitussive medicine

Explanation: Chest indrawing with difficulty feeding may indicate severe pneumonia or a general danger sign, so urgent referral is required after…

• A. Alert child with moist eyes and normal thirst
• B. Lethargic child unable to drink normally
• C. Restless child with sunken eyes and eager drinking
• D. Child with normal skin pinch and no change in behaviour

Explanation: Some dehydration is suggested by at least two findings such as restlessness, sunken eyes, eager drinking or a skin pinch that returns…

• A. Begin urgent rehydration according to the severe dehydration plan
• B. Offer a high-fibre meal and observe the stool pattern
• C. Give an antidiarrhoeal drug before replacing fluids
• D. Wait for laboratory results before starting treatment

Explanation: Lethargy, sunken eyes and inability to drink indicate severe dehydration, which threatens circulation and requires urgent rehydration.

• A. Painful swelling of one parotid gland
• B. Cough followed by repeated inspiratory whoops
• C. Koplik spots followed by a spreading maculopapular rash
• D. Small itchy vesicles appearing in successive crops

Explanation: Koplik spots on the buccal mucosa are a characteristic early sign of measles, followed by fever and a spreading maculopapular rash.

• A. Place the child in airborne precautions and check immunisation history
• B. Use only contact precautions and share the room with infants
• C. Stop all fluids until the rash has completely disappeared
• D. Apply topical antibiotics to every skin lesion

Explanation: Measles spreads through airborne particles, so airborne precautions and assessment of immunisation status are important.

• A. Mumps
• B. Measles
• C. Pertussis
• D. Chickenpox

Explanation: Mumps commonly causes painful swelling of the parotid glands, often with pain during chewing or swallowing.

• A. I will scratch the blisters to release the fluid
• B. I will keep the nails short and avoid contact with pregnant people
• C. I will give aspirin for fever when the child feels uncomfortable
• D. I will send the child to school once the first spots appear

Explanation: Keeping nails short reduces skin damage and secondary bacterial infection, while contact with pregnant people should be avoided because…

• A. Pertussis
• B. Mumps
• C. Measles
• D. Ascariasis

Explanation: Paroxysmal coughing followed by an inspiratory whoop and vomiting is characteristic of pertussis.

• A. Wear footwear, wash hands and use sanitary toilets
• B. Avoid all milk and give antibiotics every month
• C. Share towels only after they are lightly dried
• D. Restrict water intake during outdoor activities

Explanation: Wearing footwear, handwashing, safe disposal of faeces and sanitary toilets reduce transmission of common intestinal worms.

• A. A bacterial infection of the lower airway
• B. A viral infection of the respiratory tract
• C. A fungal infection of the nasal passage
• D. A parasitic infection of the bronchi

Explanation: Viruses cause most uncomplicated acute respiratory infections in children.

• A. Give oral fluids and reassess after one hour
• B. Arrange urgent assessment for possible airway obstruction
• C. Place the child flat and encourage deep breathing
• D. Start chest physiotherapy to loosen secretions

Explanation: Noisy breathing at rest may indicate stridor and serious upper-airway narrowing.

• A. Offer small, frequent sips using a cup or spoon
• B. Give a large amount quickly to replace losses
• C. Withhold breastfeeding until the diarrhoea stops
• D. Mix the solution with extra water to reduce its taste

Explanation: Small, frequent sips improve absorption and reduce vomiting during oral rehydration.

• A. The child becomes more alert and passes urine
• B. The child develops a faster pulse and dry lips
• C. The child becomes sleepier and drinks less
• D. The child has increasing sunken eyes and thirst

Explanation: Improved alertness and urine production are useful signs of restoring circulation and hydration.

• A. Routine immunisation of eligible children
• B. Giving antibiotics to every child with fever
• C. Avoiding all dairy foods during an outbreak
• D. Using antidiarrhoeal medicine after exposure

Explanation: Routine measles vaccination is the main preventive measure and reduces transmission in the community.

• A. Offer soft foods and plenty of non-acidic fluids
• B. Give citrus juice to stimulate salivary flow
• C. Apply vigorous massage over the swollen glands
• D. Restrict fluids until the facial swelling decreases

Explanation: Soft foods and non-acidic fluids reduce pain during chewing and swallowing while supporting hydration.

• A. Only after every skin lesion has crusted
• B. From about two days before the rash until all lesions crust
• C. Only during the first hour after the fever begins
• D. After complete healing when new lesions appear

Explanation: Chickenpox spreads from shortly before the rash appears until the lesions have crusted.

• A. Offer oral fluids to soothe the throat
• B. Assess the airway and breathing and call for urgent help
• C. Place the infant in a dark room to reduce stimulation
• D. Delay intervention until the coughing episode ends

Explanation: Apnoea and cyanosis indicate an immediate breathing emergency. Airway and breathing are assessed first while urgent help is called; oral…

• A. Iron-deficiency anaemia and tiredness
• B. Parotid swelling with pain on chewing
• C. A barking cough with inspiratory noise
• D. Clusters of fluid-filled skin vesicles

Explanation: Hookworms attach to the intestinal lining and cause chronic blood loss, which may lead to iron-deficiency anaemia and fatigue.

• A. Early-morning adhesive tape test
• B. Midday sputum culture test
• C. Random blood glucose measurement
• D. Throat swab after eating breakfast

Explanation: The adhesive tape test is used in the morning to collect pinworm eggs from the perianal skin before bathing or defecation.