Which action by the school nurse is important in the prevention of rheumatic fever?

The correct answer is Choice D: Refer children with sore throats for throat cultures.

Choice A rationale:

Recommending salicylates instead of acetaminophen for minor discomforts is not relevant to the prevention of rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever is primarily associated with untreated streptococcal infections, particularly streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat), which can lead to complications such as rheumatic fever if left untreated. The choice of pain relievers like salicylates or acetaminophen doesn't play a significant role in preventing rheumatic fever.

Choice B rationale:

Encouraging routine cholesterol screenings is not relevant to the prevention of rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever is an immune-mediated inflammatory response to certain strains of Streptococcus bacteria, particularly Streptococcus pyogenes. Cholesterol screenings are more related to assessing cardiovascular risk and are not directly linked to preventing rheumatic fever.

Choice C rationale:

Conducting routine blood pressure screenings is not directly related to the prevention of rheumatic fever. Blood pressure screenings are important for identifying hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors, but they do not have a direct impact on preventing rheumatic fever, which is primarily a complication of untreated streptococcal infections.

Choice D rationale:

Refer children with sore throats for throat cultures. This is the correct choice. Rheumatic fever often develops as a result of untreated streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat). Throat cultures are crucial for diagnosing streptococcal infections and determining the appropriate course of treatment with antibiotics. By identifying and treating streptococcal infections promptly, the risk of developing rheumatic fever can be significantly reduced.

The correct answers are choices A, D, and E. Unequal waist angles, an uneven hemline, and asymmetry of the shoulders.

Choice A rationale:

Unequal waist angles can be an indication of scoliosis, a condition characterized by abnormal lateral curvature of the spine. When the spine curves, it can cause one side of the waist to appear higher than the other, leading to unequal waist angles. This is a key physical finding in scoliosis assessment.

Choice B rationale:

Complaints of a sore back are a non-specific symptom and may not directly indicate scoliosis. While scoliosis can sometimes cause discomfort or pain, it's not the primary assessment finding that the nurse should expect to observe.

Choice C rationale:

Inability to bend at the waist is not a typical assessment finding of scoliosis. Scoliosis primarily involves the lateral curvature of the spine, which can lead to visible asymmetry and postural changes rather than restrictions in bending.

Choice D rationale:

An uneven hemline can be a sign of scoliosis. When the spine curves, it can cause the hips and shoulders to become misaligned, leading to changes in the alignment of clothing and accessories, such as an uneven hemline.

Choice E rationale:

Asymmetry of the shoulders is a common manifestation of scoliosis. One shoulder may appear higher than the other due to the lateral curvature of the spine. This asymmetry is often more noticeable when the child is viewed from behind.