Which sequence correctly describes how a nurse screens for scoliosis?

Which sequence correctly describes how a nurse screens for scoliosis?

• A. Visually inspect the spine, back, shoulders, and hips for curvature and asymmetry; Ask the child to bend forward at the waist; Use a scoliometer to measure abnormal degrees of lateral spinal curvature; Refer the parents to the child's healthcare provider to request an X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging.
• B. Visually inspect the spine only; Ask the child to bend backward at the waist; Use a ruler to measure curvature; Refer for imaging.
• C. Ask the child to bend forward at the waist; Visually inspect the spine; Use a scoliometer; Refer for imaging.
• D. Refer for imaging first; Visually inspect the spine; Ask the child to bend forward; Use a scoliometer.

Answer: (A)

Screening for scoliosis starts with a careful visual assessment in standing to look for any asymmetry in the spine, shoulders, and hips. If the alignment looks off, the next step is to have the child bend forward at the waist so any rib hump or spinal deviation becomes more evident. Then use a scoliometer to measure the angle of trunk rotation, which helps quantify whether the rotation is likely abnormal. If the screening shows an elevated rotation angle, refer for imaging to confirm the diagnosis and assess severity, typically with an X-ray to determine the Cobb angle (and MRI if indicated). This sequence—visual inspection, forward-bbend test, scoliometer measurement, and then imaging—best reflects standard scoliosis screening.

Screening for scoliosis starts with a careful visual assessment in standing to look for any asymmetry in the spine, shoulders, and hips. If the alignment looks off, the next step is to have the child bend forward at the waist so any rib hump or spinal deviation becomes more evident. Then use a scoliometer to measure the angle of trunk rotation, which helps quantify whether the rotation is likely abnormal. If the screening shows an elevated rotation angle, refer for imaging to confirm the diagnosis and assess severity, typically with an X-ray to determine the Cobb angle (and MRI if indicated). This sequence—visual inspection, forward-bbend test, scoliometer measurement, and then imaging—best reflects standard scoliosis screening.