Health Promotion and Maintenance Q 62
The clinic nurse asks a 13-year-old female to bend forward at the waist with arms hanging freely. Which of the following assessments is the nurse most likely conducting?
A. Spinal flexibility
B. Leg length disparity
C. Hypostatic blood pressure
D. Scoliosis
Correct Answer: D. Scoliosis.
A check for scoliosis, a lateral deviation of the spine, is an important part of the routine adolescent exam. It is assessed by having the teen bend at the waist with arms dangling, while observing for lateral curvature and uneven rib level. Scoliosis is more common in female adolescents.
Options A: The ability to move the spine through its full range of motion, both forward and backward, is called spinal flexibility. However, it is not included in routine adolescent exams.
Options B: Leg length discrepancy or disparity is a condition in which the paired lower extremity limbs have a noticeably unequal length.
Option C: Hypostatic or orthostatic blood pressure is a form of low blood pressure that happens when one is sitting or stands up suddenly.