How should a fever be initially assessed in children aged 2 months to 5 years?

The assessment of fever in children aged 2 months to 5 years is a crucial component of the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) framework, and the correct approach is to measure the child's axillary temperature. This method provides an immediate indication of the child’s body temperature and helps determine the severity of the fever to guide further clinical decisions.

Measuring axillary temperature is practical and straightforward, allowing healthcare providers to quickly assess the child's condition. Elevated temperature readings can indicate an infectious process or other illnesses requiring further evaluation or management.

While asking about a child's vaccination history and signs of dehydration are important aspects of a comprehensive assessment, they do not directly address the measurement of fever. Questions about past measles infection may help understand potential exposure to specific illnesses but are not part of the initial assessment of a fever. Therefore, measuring axillary temperature is the most relevant initial step in assessing a fever in this age group.