When assessing a 68 year-old female patient, the nurse notes an exaggerated curvature of the thoracic spine when the patient bends at the waist. How would the nurse evaluate this finding?
1. It represents kyphosis and is a common curvature in older patients.
2. It represents kyphosis, for which emergency surgery is indicated.
3. It is called scoliosis and is a normal curvature in the elderly.
4. This is an expected finding in all women.
1
Rationale 1: Kyphosis is common in older adult patients but can also result from poor posture that leads to a rounding of the back. Kyphosis may also be secondary to another spinal problem.
Rationale 2: Kyphosis is present and is related to aging. It is not an emergency.
Rationale 3: This finding does not indicate scoliosis. Scoliosis is not a normal curvature in the elderly or any other population.
Rationale 4: This is not a normal finding is all women.
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