Question

What will you do when 3 yrs old child parents come to phc with fever, cough since 5 days with chest indrawing present under mnci classification

• A. Give antipyretics only
• B. Give antibiotics and follow up
• C. Refer urgently to tertiary care
• D. Give antibiotics and refer to tertiary care

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

When dealing with a 3-year-old child presenting with fever and cough for 5 days accompanied by chest indrawing, it is important to refer to the Management of Childhood Illness (MNCI) guidelines to determine the appropriate course of action. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:

• According to the MNCI classification, chest indrawing is a critical sign that indicates a potential severe pneumonia or another serious respiratory condition.
• In such cases, the child may require more intensive treatment and observation than what can be provided at a primary healthcare center (PHC).
• The recommended action is to give antibiotics and refer the child to tertiary care, where specialized pediatric care and further diagnostic facilities are available to manage potentially severe conditions.

Therefore, the correct and appropriate action for the health worker or primary care provider, in this case, is: Give antibiotics and refer to tertiary care.