The school nurse is preparing to conduct routine health screenings of the elementary school students. Which screening will the nurse prioritize for students ages 6 to 8?

Choice A reason: Using tweezers risks ear canal injury or pushing paper deeper in a 2-year-old, potentially causing trauma. Professional evaluation ensures safe removal, making this dangerous and incorrect compared to advising immediate medical attention to address the potential foreign object in the child’s ear safely.

Choice B reason: Delaying care for irritation risks complications like infection or eardrum damage from a foreign object in a 2-year-old. Immediate provider assessment is safer, making this inadequate and incorrect compared to prioritizing prompt medical evaluation for the child’s potential ear issue.

Choice C reason: Immediate care provider evaluation ensures safe removal of any paper, preventing ear damage or infection in a 2-year-old. Advising against inserting objects protects the child, aligning with pediatric safety protocols, making this the correct response to address the caregiver’s concern effectively.

Choice D reason: Washing the ear with a syringe may push paper deeper or injure a 2-year-old’s delicate ear canal. Professional intervention is needed, making this risky and incorrect compared to seeking immediate medical evaluation to safely address the potential foreign object in the child’s ear.

Choice A reason: Scoliosis screening is typically prioritized in older children (10-14 years), as curvature often appears during puberty. Vision and hearing screenings are critical for 6-8-year-olds to support learning, making this less urgent and incorrect for the prioritized screening in this elementary school age group.

Choice B reason: Vision and hearing screenings are critical for 6-8-year-olds, as deficits can impair academic performance and development. Early detection ensures timely intervention, aligning with pediatric school health guidelines, making this the prioritized screening for elementary students to support their educational and health needs.

Choice C reason: Assessing nutritional needs is important but less standardized as a routine screening compared to vision and hearing, which directly impact learning. These screenings take precedence, making this less critical and incorrect for the nurse’s priority in routine health checks for 6-8-year-olds.

Choice D reason: Reviewing immunization records ensures compliance but is administrative, not a health screening like vision and hearing, which detect active issues. These screenings are more urgent, making this incorrect compared to prioritizing assessments that directly affect the health of 6-8-year-old students.