Free Common Childhood Illnesses MCQs with Answers
50 Common Childhood Illnesses MCQs from Paediatric Nursing, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
Common childhood illnesses include acute respiratory infections, diarrhoeal disease, dehydration, measles, mumps, chickenpox, pertussis and worm infestations. The subject focuses on causes, signs, transmission, assessment, prevention and nursing care, especially distinguishing pneumonia from less severe respiratory infection and classifying dehydration by clinical findings.
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50 questions · page 3 of 3
- A. Mix the packet with the stated volume of safe water
- B. Mix the packet with less water to make it stronger
- C. Add sugar and salt to improve the solution
- D. Keep the prepared solution at room temperature for three days
Explanation: The packet must be dissolved in the exact volume of safe water printed on it.
Correct answer: Mix the packet with the stated volume of safe water- A. Vitamin A
- B. Vitamin K
- C. Folic acid
- D. Calcium gluconate
Explanation: Vitamin A is recommended for children with measles because it reduces severity and complications, especially eye and respiratory…
Correct answer: Vitamin A- A. Stop aspirin and inform the prescriber
- B. Continue aspirin after giving it with food
- C. Replace aspirin with an extra dose of antibiotic
- D. Give aspirin only when the rash becomes painful
Explanation: Aspirin should be avoided in children with viral infections because of its association with Reye syndrome.
Correct answer: Stop aspirin and inform the prescriber- A. Wearing shoes outdoors
- B. Sharing towels only with siblings
- C. Drinking milk before sleeping
- D. Avoiding citrus fruits during summer
Explanation: Hookworm larvae can penetrate skin, especially when children walk barefoot on contaminated soil.
Correct answer: Wearing shoes outdoors- A. Intestinal obstruction
- B. Acute glomerulonephritis
- C. Bacterial meningitis
- D. Middle-ear effusion
Explanation: A large mass of Ascaris worms can obstruct the intestine and cause pain, vomiting and distension.
Correct answer: Intestinal obstruction- A. Use droplet precautions during the infectious period
- B. Use contact precautions only after the cough stops
- C. Allow close contact because the child is afebrile
- D. Place the child in airborne isolation for the whole admission
Explanation: Pertussis spreads mainly through respiratory droplets, so droplet precautions help protect staff and other children.
Correct answer: Use droplet precautions during the infectious period- A. Dysentery
- B. Simple viral gastroenteritis
- C. Lactose intolerance
- D. Functional constipation
Explanation: Visible blood in diarrhoeal stool suggests dysentery, often caused by invasive intestinal infection, and requires clinical assessment for…
Correct answer: Dysentery- A. Antibiotics are not routinely needed for this uncomplicated illness
- B. Antibiotics prevent every chest infection from developing
- C. Antibiotics should be started whenever nasal mucus is thick
- D. Antibiotics are needed until the cough has completely stopped
Explanation: An uncomplicated upper respiratory infection is commonly viral and is managed with fluids, feeding and symptom care.
Correct answer: Antibiotics are not routinely needed for this uncomplicated illness- A. Measure weight and record urine output
- B. Check the colour of the child’s hair
- C. Assess the number of erupted teeth
- D. Measure the length of the child’s fingernails
Explanation: Daily weight and accurate urine output provide objective information about changing fluid balance.
Correct answer: Measure weight and record urine output- A. Tinea capitis
- B. Measles
- C. Mumps
- D. Pertussis
Explanation: Tinea capitis is a fungal infection of the scalp that may cause circular scaly lesions, itching and hair loss.
Correct answer: Tinea capitis