Question

Adam has been brought to the pediatric outreach center for his kindergarten checkup. The nurse knows that she must assess which of the following areas to achieve a complete musculoskeletal assessment? Select all that apply.

1) Physical head-to-toe exam
2) History of birth and since for any major/minor injuries
3) Height and weight
4) Family expectations
5) A Denver II study

Answer 1

For a complete musculoskeletal checkup, areas to assess include a physical head-to-toe exam, injury history, height and weight measurements, and a Denver II study which evaluates development, including motor skills.

Step-by-step explanation:

To achieve a complete musculoskeletal assessment during a kindergarten checkup, the nurse should assess several areas. A physical head-to-toe exam is essential for checking the child's overall physical condition, including the musculoskeletal system. Taking a comprehensive history of birth and since for any major or minor injuries is crucial to understand any past issues that may affect the current assessment. Measuring height and weight is an important part of the evaluation as it can provide clues about the child's growth and nutritional status, which are indicative of overall health and development. Lastly, a Denver II study is often conducted to assess the developmental progress of the child, which includes fine and gross motor skills that relate to the musculoskeletal assessment.

While the question does not explicitly mention the cranial nerve exam or sensory and motor exams typically included in a neurological exam, understanding and mention of neurological function can be beneficial when assessing the musculoskeletal system, especially in detecting any abnormalities in muscle strength, tone, or coordination that could signal neurological issues.