The nurse is assessing a preadolescent girl for scoliosis. How would the nurse perform this assessment?

The nurse is assessing a preadolescent girl for scoliosis. How would the nurse perform this assessment?




1. Have the girl bend forward from the waist and observe for asymmetry in the back and hip area.
2. Examine the girl unclothed from the waist down; examine movement of the hips and legs.
3. Have the girl walk heel to toe and observe the gait and pelvis.
4. Place the girl on her back and flex the knees and observe for misalignment.


Answer: 1

The child should remove her shirt (leave on bra or swimsuit top) and bend at the waist. The nurse should examine for uneven hips and shoulders or a visible curvature of the spine. The waist line may be uneven, and one hip may be more prominent. Movement of the hips, walking, and flexing the knees do not provide information regarding scoliosis.


Learn More :

Mobility Nclex

Learn More Multiple Choice Question :