Understanding the NCLEX: A Guide.

By Peter Jumba
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  Understanding the NCLEX: A Guide. Understanding the NCLEX: A Guide. The NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) is the high-stakes exam used to determine if a candidate is prepared for entry-level nursing practice. It is developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). There are two versions: NCLEX-RN: For those seeking licensure as a Registered Nurse. NCLEX-PN: For those seeking licensure as a Practical or Vocational Nurse. 1. The Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) Format The NCLEX does not function like a traditional paper exam. It uses CAT technology, which means the test adjusts its difficulty based on your performance: Correct Answers: The computer gives you a slightly more difficult question. Incorrect Answers: The computer gives you a slightly easier question. The Goal: The computer wants to determine with 95% certainty that your ability level is above the "passing standard." 2. Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) As of April 2023, the exam shi...
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Malaria Guide: Understanding, Treatment & Prevention.

By Peter Jumba


Malaria Guide: Understanding, Treatment & Prevention.

A stylized, high-resolution graphic or photograph that emphasizes prevention. It could feature a family sleeping safely under a clean mosquito net in a warm climate, or a symbolic image combining a mosquito with a target/crosshair to represent eradication efforts.



Learn the causes, critical symptoms, and life-saving treatments for malaria. Discover essential prevention tips, from mosquito nets to medication, to protect yourself and your family.


Cause:

Malaria is caused by parasites of the Plasmodium genus. Five species of Plasmodium can cause malaria in humans: Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium malaria, and Plasmodium knowlesi.

 Transmission:

 Malaria is typically transmitted through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Less commonly, malaria can be transmitted through blood transfusions, organ transplantation, or from a mother to her unborn baby.

 Symptoms:

 Malaria symptoms typically appear 10-15 days after the infective mosquito bite. The most common symptoms include fever, headache, chills, sweating, muscle aches, nausea, and vomiting. In severe cases, malaria can cause organ failure and death.

Treatment of Malaria

Malaria is treated with prescription drugs that kill the parasite. The type of drug and the length of treatment will vary, depending on the species of Plasmodium causing the infection, the severity of symptoms, and the patient's overall health.

Prevention of Malaria

Malaria can be prevented by avoiding mosquito bites and by taking preventive medication.

 Avoiding mosquito bites:

  •    Use mosquito nets when sleeping.
  •    Use mosquito repellent on exposed skin.
  •    Wear long-sleeved clothing and long pants, especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
  •    Stay indoors during peak mosquito times.

 Preventive medication:

   Several drugs are available to prevent malaria. The type of drug and the dose will depend on the traveller's destination and health status. It is important to start taking preventive medication before travelling to a malaria-prone area and to continue taking it for some time after returning.


Additional Information

 Malaria is a global health problem, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

 The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there were 241 million cases of malaria worldwide in 2020, with 627,000 deaths.

 Children under the age of 5 are the most vulnerable to malaria.

  •  There is no vaccine for malaria, but several vaccines are currently under development.

If you are travelling to a malaria-prone area, it is important to talk to your doctor about how to prevent malaria. If you develop malaria symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

Malaria continues to be the most dangerous disease worldwide. 

Protect yourself from Malaria by reading this information.

Protect Yourself: Get the full guide on malaria prevention now! or Download the Malaria Prevention Checklist.




Malaria Treatment Protocols: ACTs, Severe Cases, & Drug Resistance. Updated on 18/10/2025 at 17:11



Get detailed protocols for uncomplicated and severe malaria. Learn about ACTs, the risk of drug resistance, and the critical G6PD safety check for P. vivax radical cure.



The foundation of effective malaria management lies in prompt diagnosis followed by the correct, weight-based treatment. The goal of treatment is two-fold: to rapidly clear the parasite from the patient's bloodstream and to prevent the development and spread of drug resistance.


1. Treatment of Uncomplicated P. falciparum Malaria.

P. falciparum is the deadliest species and the most common cause of severe disease. For uncomplicated cases (no signs of severe malaria), the global standard is Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT).

What is an ACT? It combines an artemisinin derivative (a fast-acting drug that clears most parasites quickly) with a longer-acting Partner Drug (which stays in the body longer to kill the remaining parasites and prevent resistance).

Key ACT Regimens:


  • Artemether-Lumefantrine (AL):The most widely used ACT in Africa. It is a 6-dose, 3-day regimen. Nursing Consideration: Optimal absorption requires a fat-containing meal, which can be challenging for acutely ill patients.

  • Artesunate-Amodiaquine (ASAQ)

Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine (DHA-PPQ) The Single Dose of Primaquine: In most settings, a single dose of Primaquine is added to the ACT to target and kill the sexual-stage parasites (gametocytes), which are responsible for transmission to mosquitoes.

2. Treatment of Severe Malaria.

Severe malaria is a medical emergency requiring urgent hospitalization and intravenous (IV) treatment.

  • First-Line Treatment: Intravenous (IV) Artesunate is the drug of choice for severe malaria in both adults and children. It is superior to the older standard, Quinine, due to faster parasite clearance and lower risk of complications.


  • Protocol: IV Artesunate should be administered for a minimum of 24 hours (or until the patient can safely swallow oral medication), followed immediately by a full course of a recommended oral ACT to complete the treatment.


  • Severe Malaria Nursing Care: Management must include treatment of life-threatening complications like cerebral malaria, severe anemia, and acute kidney injury.

3. Treatment of P. vivax and P. ovale.

These species pose a unique challenge because they have a dormant liver stage (hypnozoites) that can cause relapses weeks or months after the initial infection is treated.

  • Treatment Protocol: Requires a combination of two drugs:

  • An initial drug (like Chloroquine or an ACT) to clear the blood-stage parasites.


  • Primaquine or Tafenoquine (Hypnozoiticidal drugs) for 7-14 days to eliminate the dormant liver forms and prevent relapse (Radical Cure).

  • Critical Nursing Safety Check (G6PD): Primaquine and Tafenoquine can cause severe hemolytic anemia in patients with Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Before administering these drugs, nurses must ensure the patient has been screened and tested negative for G6PD deficiency.
"While managing severe malaria, nurses must also be prepared for cardiac emergencies; see our Essential CPR Guide for Nurses here."

Master the ACTs: Download the WHO-Aligned Dosing Charts and G6PD Screening Checklist.
Location: Nairobi Nairobi, Kenya

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