In evaluating a 13-year-old girl with scoliosis and back pain, which physical findings would the NP most likely expect?

In the case of scoliosis, the physical examination often reveals an exaggerated pelvic tilt as the body compensates for the abnormal spinal curvature. Scoliosis is characterized by a lateral curvature of the spine, which can lead to uneven shoulder heights, pelvic tilt, and potential rotation of the vertebrae. As the spine curves, the pelvis may tilt to maintain balance, resulting in an observable physical finding of an exaggerated pelvic tilt.

In addition, while other options such as equal shoulder height and normal spinal curvature might seem plausible, they contradict the very nature of scoliosis, which typically presents with asymmetric shoulder height due to the curvature of the spine. Likewise, the absence of pain on examination would be uncommon, considering that pain is often a symptom associated with scoliosis as it can lead to muscle strain and discomfort in the back. Therefore, the expectation of an exaggerated pelvic tilt aligns directly with the physical manifestations of scoliosis in a 13-year-old patient.