The nurse assessing a 68-year-old female patient notes an exaggerated curvature of the thoracic spine when the patient bends at the waist. With which alteration does the nurse recognize this finding to be consistent?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The exaggerated curvature of the thoracic spine when the patient bends at the waist is consistent with kyphosis, which is a common curvature in older patients, especially in women. Scoliosis is an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine, and lordosis is an accentuated lumbar curve, neither of which is consistent with the described finding. Surgery may be considered for severe cases of kyphosis but is not indicated based on the provided information.

The Nurse Assessing a 68-Year-Old Female Patient Notes an Exaggerated