CHAPTER 4: CARING FOR CHILDREN with
SPECIAL MEDICAL CONDITIONS
Answers to Review Questions
ANSWERS TO CHAPTER REVIEW
A. By Yourself
1. A child suspected of having a hearing disorder should first be observed closely and data
collected to document behaviors that are concerningpotential problems. If there is a concern,
2. There are many reasons why some health conditions are more difficult than others to detect.
Families may not intentionally ignore a child’s health problem. However, because some
3. Febrile seizures are experienced primarily by infants and toddlers when they have a high
fever. The convulsive episodes are not harmful and this type of seizure activity is usually
outgrown around two years of age. Focal onset seizures Absence seizures (petite mal) are
4. Early signs of diabetes include weight loss despite eating, fatigue or weakness, frequent
urination, excessive thirst, and dry, itchy skin. Each community has unique resources that
5. Refer to Teacher Checklist 4-1. Colds are usually accompanied by fever, cough, generalized
discomfort and last 7-10 days. Allergies do not cause fever, may be accompanied by a non-
productive cough, and do not go away until the offending allergen is no longer present
(seasonal).
B. As a Group
2. An emergency plan should include having complete information about the child’s condition
on file (e.g., type of seizure the child experiences, conditions that may trigger seizure
activity, how the child generally responds before/following a seizure, if the child takes
3. Factors have been linked to an increasing incidence of allergies and asthma among young
children include exposure to an increasing number of environmental pollutants (air, water,
4. The environment begins to influence a child’s health shortly after conception. Substances to
which a mother is exposed and her lifestyle practices during pregnancy affect a child’s
5. When a child who has undergone treatment for cancer is ready to return to school, it is
important that teachers work closely with the child’s family to determine what
ANSWERS TO CASE STUDY
1. Generalized onset seizureTonic-clonic.
3. The child will lose consciousness, experience uncontrollable contractions of the entire body.
4. Yes, Mr. Lui was correct in calling for emergency medical assistance given the circumstances
(e.g., location, unknown cause of the child’s seizure, not familiar with the child’s medical
5. Mr. Lui should place the child in a recovery position (on her side) and encourage her to rest
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1. What is anaphylaxis and what immediate measures must be taken?
2. What signs might teachers observe in the classroom that would suggest a child may have an
allergic condition?
3. In what ways does diabetes affect the normal functioning of a child’s body? Why is it
important that a teacher be aware of any child who may have this condition?
4. Identify and describe the four major classifications of allergic reactions. Provide an example
of an allergen for each category. Why is early identification and control of allergies
important?
5. Why does lead poisoning continue to pose a problem for young children? What sources of
lead exposure remaincontinue to present a risk for children?
ADDITIONAL APPLICATION ACTIVITIES
The following exercises are designed for instructors to assign as individual or group projects.
1. Locate and read the online essay, “Welcome to Holland”, written by Emily Perl Kingsley
about parenting a child with a disability. The essay can be accessed on several websites
2. Write 3 IEP goals for a 4 year-old child who is in remission following treatment for leukemia.
3. Prepare a list of 10 healthy snacks that include foods from at least 2 different food groups for a