The school nurse is assessing a group of middle school students for signs of scoliosis and discovers a student with a noticeable unequal symmetry of the upper and lower back. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement?
Make a referral to have the scoliosis further evaluated.
Measure the degree of the thoracic and lumbar curvature.
Ask about the student's ability to participate in sports.
Review students health record for a recent growth spurt.
The Correct Answer is A
A) Make a referral to have the scoliosis further evaluated:
Making a referral for further evaluation is the most important intervention. A noticeable unequal symmetry of the upper and lower back suggests the possibility of scoliosis, a condition that requires accurate diagnosis and assessment by a specialist. An orthopedic evaluation or consultation with a healthcare provider can provide a definitive diagnosis and guide appropriate management or treatment.
B) Measure the degree of the thoracic and lumbar curvature:
Measuring the degree of curvature can provide useful information about the severity of scoliosis but should be done by a healthcare professional specializing in scoliosis. Initial steps should focus on referring the student for a comprehensive evaluation, which will include assessing the degree of curvature along with other diagnostic procedures.
C) Ask about the student's ability to participate in sports:
While it is important to consider the student's ability to participate in sports, this is not the immediate priority. The primary concern should be obtaining a proper diagnosis and assessment of the potential scoliosis to determine if there are any limitations or necessary modifications in physical activities.
D) Review students' health record for a recent growth spurt:
Reviewing the health record for a recent growth spurt may provide context, as rapid growth can influence scoliosis development or progression. However, the most critical step is to refer the student for further evaluation to address the observed signs of scoliosis and determine the appropriate course of action.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Review the previous school nurse's anecdotal documents:
While reviewing past documents may provide some context or historical insights, anecdotal evidence is subjective and may not offer a comprehensive or objective validation of current findings.
B. Obtain morbidity and mortality data for the geographic area:
Morbidity and mortality data offer objective, quantifiable information about health conditions and outcomes in the community. This data helps validate and supplement the observations from a windshield survey by providing concrete evidence on health trends, disease prevalence, and outcomes in the area.
C. Talk with teachers about their concerns for the students:
Teachers’ perspectives can provide valuable insights into student health and well-being, but this method is subjective and may not provide the objective validation needed to corroborate findings from a windshield survey.
D. Discuss with the Parent/Teacher Association (PTA) board about their perception of school events:
The PTA board’s perceptions can offer useful information about community and school events, but their feedback is subjective and may not provide the objective data needed to validate the findings of a windshield survey.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Rescreen the entire prison population in 6 weeks:
While rescreening may be necessary at some point, it is not the immediate priority. The focus should be on diagnosing and managing the individuals who have already tested positive.
B. Start the two inmates on antitubercular medications:
Starting antitubercular medications is important, but it should only be done after confirming that the individuals have active TB. The positive skin test indicates exposure but does not confirm active TB disease.
C. Refer the two inmates for chest x-rays:
A chest x-ray is crucial to determine whether the positive skin test indicates active TB disease or latent TB infection. This step is essential for accurate diagnosis and appropriate management. It helps distinguish between active TB, which requires treatment, and latent TB, which may require different management strategies.
D. Screen the prison guards for TB:
While screening the prison guards could be a part of a broader infection control plan, it is not the most immediate priority. The focus should be on further evaluating and managing the inmates who have tested positive.
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