Pediatric ATI Practice Exam

In assessing an adolescent with scoliosis, which clinical finding should the nurse identify?

1. A visible shoulder drop

2. A unilateral rib hump

3. Extreme fatigue

4. Back pain during physical activity

The correct answer is: A unilateral rib hump

In assessing an adolescent with scoliosis, the presence of a unilateral rib hump is a key clinical finding. This characteristic arises due to the abnormal curvature of the spine that causes the ribs on the convex side of the curve to protrude more prominently. As the spine deviates from its normal alignment, it changes the symmetrical positioning of the torso, leading to visible deformities, which can include the rib hump. Visible shoulder drops may also be indicative of scoliosis; however, they are not as specific to the deformity as the unilateral rib hump. The shoulder drop can occur for various reasons, and its presence is not solely associated with scoliosis. Extreme fatigue and back pain during physical activity are not direct indicators of scoliosis itself. While some individuals with scoliosis may report these symptoms, they are not specific clinical findings of the condition. Therefore, the unilateral rib hump serves as a more definitive assessment indicator when evaluating scoliosis in adolescents.