Physical Diagnosis Class
Thaty Sánchez, a nurse at the Clinic (gray sweater vest and glasses), supervises as volunteer community health promoters practice counting a child's respiratory rate.
In developing countries, 85% of the children under five years of age who die from acute respiratory infections die at home without ever having visited a clinic or having been evaluated by a nurse or physician. Families may simply not recognize the signs of serious illness in small children that indicate they need professional medical care.
Distinguishing between children who can stay at home and those children who need medical care is a critical judgment that can save children's lives.
The volunteer health promoters are a resource in their neighborhoods. They can respond when there is a sick child and make an assessment. If a child has signs of serious illness, they can send the child to a clinc or emergency room.
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