A nurse is assisting a school nurse with scoliosis screenings for a group of 12-year-old children. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A. Tell the children to alternate standing on one foot and observe their balance: Assessing balance does not evaluate spinal curvature or detect scoliosis. While balance testing may identify neuromuscular issues, it is not part of standard scoliosis screening and does not reveal lateral spinal deviations. B. Ask the children to bend forward at the waist and observe them from behind: The forward bend (Adam’s forward bend) test is the recommended screening method for scoliosis. Observing from behind allows the nurse to detect asymmetry in the shoulders, ribs, or hips, which may indicate spinal curvature. This method is simple, noninvasive, and effective for early detection. C. Tell the children to stand up straight and observe them facing forward: Viewing the child from the front while standing upright may reveal gross asymmetry but is less sensitive than the forward bend test. Subtle spinal curvatures are often not noticeable when the child is standing upright. D. Ask the children to raise their hands over their head and turn from side to side: Raising arms and twisting does not provide clear visualization of spinal asymmetry. Scoliosis screening relies on observing the alignment of the spine and rib cage during forward flexion, not rotational movements.