DCF HEALTH, SAFETY & NUTRITION
CERTIFICATION EXAM 250+ QUESTIONS &
CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST 2026
The three A's of a healthy child are: - ANSWER-Appetite (eat a substantial amount
of food, consume a variety of food, interested in eating, appears content after
eating)
& Appearance (clear bright eyes, clear skin, well-developed muscles, gains
steadily in height and body weight)
& Activity (has plenty of energy, is alert, sleeps soundly, few aches and pains)
Good way of preventing, identifying, and controlling illness in a child care
environment. - ANSWER-Daily Health Checks (includes behavior, face and body,
other signs)
_____ may be a warning sign that the body has an infection and needs treatment
before the infection can become harmful. - ANSWER-Fever
The best way to take a temperature is to use a _______ ___________ with a
__________ _____. - ANSWER-The best way to take a temperature is to use a
DIGITAL THERMOMETER with a DISPOSABLE SHEATH.
Orally, ___ degrees or more is a fever. Under arm, ___ degrees or more is a fever. -
ANSWER-Orally, 101 degrees or more is a fever. Under arm, 100 degrees or more
is a fever.
If dehydration is sever, the following will occur: - ANSWER-- eyes are sunken
,- hands and feet are cool and blotchy
- pulse may seem weak and fast
- child will not urinate for hours
For mild diarrhea, do not give ____ - ANSWER-milk. It has a high concentration
of minerals and salt which could be dangerous to a child with diarrhea.
Occurs when someone who is not used to very hot weather does not get enough
liquid and salt. This condition is caused by excessive sweating. The person's skin
becomes pale and clammy, and the person feels sick, dizzy, and/or faint. Pulse rate
and breathing become rapid, and a headache or muscle cramps may develop. 1)
Lay the person down in a cool, quiet place, with feet raised a little. 2) Loosen any
tight clothing and supply water to drink. 3) Add 1 teaspoon of salt to each quart of
water. - ANSWER-Heat Exhaustion
Caused by prolonged exposure to very hot conditions, not enough fluids and/or
salt, body stops regulating temperature. The person's skin becomes flushed, hot and
dry, elevated temperature (104F skin hot to the touch), strong and rapid pulse,
confusion or loss of consciousness. Immediate medical attention required- call 911.
- ANSWER-Heat Stroke
Four types of germs: - ANSWER-- Bacteria (seen with ordinary microscope;
causes strep throat, impetigo, pinkeye, and some pneumonia; antibiotics help stop
growth)
- Virus (smaller than bacteria; causes colds, chicken pox, measles; antibiotics have
no effect; vaccines available)
- Fungi (cause athlete's foot and ringworm effective medication is available)
- Parasites (organisms that live on or in animals and people, lice, effective
medication available for most)
,Serious Communicable Diseases (3) - ANSWER-- Haemophilus Influenzae B
(Hib) (infection that can lead to meningitis, pneumonia; caused by a germ that
spreads through coughing and sneezing)
- Hepatitis B/C (B- Infection to the liver, vaccine avail, most commonly spread
from mother to infant at birth; C-Disease of the liverr, no vaccine)
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (virus that causes an increasing loss of
immune function that results in the body becoming unable to fight off infections;
less commonly spread by infected mothers who breastfeed their infants; and
exposure of open wounds or mucus membranes to contaminated blood.)
- Parasite found in the stools.
- Diarrhea, bloating, abdominal cramps
- Weight loss and weakness - ANSWER-Giardiasis
-Wheezing and coughing
-Blue color around lips
-Rapid breathing - ANSWER-RSV (Respiratory Synctial Virus)
Cannot be in contact with other children. - ANSWER-Isolation
_________ ___________ is a strategy which requires caregivers to treat blood or
any bodily fluids of all persons as potential sources of infection, and its core
principle is that proper hygiene and sanitary conditions are critical in
communicable disease control. - ANSWER-Universal precautions is a strategy
which requires caregivers to treat blood or any bodily fluids of all persons as
potential sources of infection, and its core principle is that proper hygiene and
sanitary conditions are critical in communicable disease control.
______ ________ _______ is the most effective way of preventing the spread of
germs and diseases in a childcare setting. - ANSWER-PROPER PERSONAL
, HYGIENE is the most effective way of preventing the spread of germs and
diseases in a childcare setting.
Correct Storage and Cooking Temperatures:
Keep cold foods cold ( __ degrees or below) and hot foods hot (cook and hold at
about ___ degrees) - ANSWER-Keep cold foods cold ( 40 degrees or below) and
hot foods hot (cook and hold at about 140 degrees)
Proper !!! Defrosting !!!
Slowly thaw frozen products under _____________.
Thaw completely _________ under _______ _____.
Food product must be completely cooked within _ _____ total time.
Thawing in a _________ ____. - ANSWER-Slowly thaw frozen products under
REFRIGERATION.
Thaw completely SUBMERGED under RUNNING WATER.
Food product must be completely cooked within 4 HOURS total time.
Thawing in a MICROWAVE OVEN.
What should caregivers pay attention to while administering medication? -
ANSWER-- Name of recipient
- dose
- route
-time and date of last dose according to the child's medication log, whether or not
the medicine is in its original package, permission slip from parent with signature,
and what person(s) in the program are authorized to administer medication.
Crib safety - ANSWER-Has wheels. Rails do not go up and down. Plexiglass: no
bars. Always keep side rails in the "up" position. Secure safety belts.
CERTIFICATION EXAM 250+ QUESTIONS &
CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST 2026
The three A's of a healthy child are: - ANSWER-Appetite (eat a substantial amount
of food, consume a variety of food, interested in eating, appears content after
eating)
& Appearance (clear bright eyes, clear skin, well-developed muscles, gains
steadily in height and body weight)
& Activity (has plenty of energy, is alert, sleeps soundly, few aches and pains)
Good way of preventing, identifying, and controlling illness in a child care
environment. - ANSWER-Daily Health Checks (includes behavior, face and body,
other signs)
_____ may be a warning sign that the body has an infection and needs treatment
before the infection can become harmful. - ANSWER-Fever
The best way to take a temperature is to use a _______ ___________ with a
__________ _____. - ANSWER-The best way to take a temperature is to use a
DIGITAL THERMOMETER with a DISPOSABLE SHEATH.
Orally, ___ degrees or more is a fever. Under arm, ___ degrees or more is a fever. -
ANSWER-Orally, 101 degrees or more is a fever. Under arm, 100 degrees or more
is a fever.
If dehydration is sever, the following will occur: - ANSWER-- eyes are sunken
,- hands and feet are cool and blotchy
- pulse may seem weak and fast
- child will not urinate for hours
For mild diarrhea, do not give ____ - ANSWER-milk. It has a high concentration
of minerals and salt which could be dangerous to a child with diarrhea.
Occurs when someone who is not used to very hot weather does not get enough
liquid and salt. This condition is caused by excessive sweating. The person's skin
becomes pale and clammy, and the person feels sick, dizzy, and/or faint. Pulse rate
and breathing become rapid, and a headache or muscle cramps may develop. 1)
Lay the person down in a cool, quiet place, with feet raised a little. 2) Loosen any
tight clothing and supply water to drink. 3) Add 1 teaspoon of salt to each quart of
water. - ANSWER-Heat Exhaustion
Caused by prolonged exposure to very hot conditions, not enough fluids and/or
salt, body stops regulating temperature. The person's skin becomes flushed, hot and
dry, elevated temperature (104F skin hot to the touch), strong and rapid pulse,
confusion or loss of consciousness. Immediate medical attention required- call 911.
- ANSWER-Heat Stroke
Four types of germs: - ANSWER-- Bacteria (seen with ordinary microscope;
causes strep throat, impetigo, pinkeye, and some pneumonia; antibiotics help stop
growth)
- Virus (smaller than bacteria; causes colds, chicken pox, measles; antibiotics have
no effect; vaccines available)
- Fungi (cause athlete's foot and ringworm effective medication is available)
- Parasites (organisms that live on or in animals and people, lice, effective
medication available for most)
,Serious Communicable Diseases (3) - ANSWER-- Haemophilus Influenzae B
(Hib) (infection that can lead to meningitis, pneumonia; caused by a germ that
spreads through coughing and sneezing)
- Hepatitis B/C (B- Infection to the liver, vaccine avail, most commonly spread
from mother to infant at birth; C-Disease of the liverr, no vaccine)
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (virus that causes an increasing loss of
immune function that results in the body becoming unable to fight off infections;
less commonly spread by infected mothers who breastfeed their infants; and
exposure of open wounds or mucus membranes to contaminated blood.)
- Parasite found in the stools.
- Diarrhea, bloating, abdominal cramps
- Weight loss and weakness - ANSWER-Giardiasis
-Wheezing and coughing
-Blue color around lips
-Rapid breathing - ANSWER-RSV (Respiratory Synctial Virus)
Cannot be in contact with other children. - ANSWER-Isolation
_________ ___________ is a strategy which requires caregivers to treat blood or
any bodily fluids of all persons as potential sources of infection, and its core
principle is that proper hygiene and sanitary conditions are critical in
communicable disease control. - ANSWER-Universal precautions is a strategy
which requires caregivers to treat blood or any bodily fluids of all persons as
potential sources of infection, and its core principle is that proper hygiene and
sanitary conditions are critical in communicable disease control.
______ ________ _______ is the most effective way of preventing the spread of
germs and diseases in a childcare setting. - ANSWER-PROPER PERSONAL
, HYGIENE is the most effective way of preventing the spread of germs and
diseases in a childcare setting.
Correct Storage and Cooking Temperatures:
Keep cold foods cold ( __ degrees or below) and hot foods hot (cook and hold at
about ___ degrees) - ANSWER-Keep cold foods cold ( 40 degrees or below) and
hot foods hot (cook and hold at about 140 degrees)
Proper !!! Defrosting !!!
Slowly thaw frozen products under _____________.
Thaw completely _________ under _______ _____.
Food product must be completely cooked within _ _____ total time.
Thawing in a _________ ____. - ANSWER-Slowly thaw frozen products under
REFRIGERATION.
Thaw completely SUBMERGED under RUNNING WATER.
Food product must be completely cooked within 4 HOURS total time.
Thawing in a MICROWAVE OVEN.
What should caregivers pay attention to while administering medication? -
ANSWER-- Name of recipient
- dose
- route
-time and date of last dose according to the child's medication log, whether or not
the medicine is in its original package, permission slip from parent with signature,
and what person(s) in the program are authorized to administer medication.
Crib safety - ANSWER-Has wheels. Rails do not go up and down. Plexiglass: no
bars. Always keep side rails in the "up" position. Secure safety belts.
