In a professional assessment for a child being placed for adoption, which element must always be included?

• A. A dental check
• B. A genetic screen
• C. An education evaluation
• D. A medical examination by a licensed physician

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is that a medical examination by a licensed physician is essential to a professional adoption assessment. This visit provides a current, professional health snapshot of the child—confirming overall health, identifying any medical conditions, allergies, medications, and immunization status, and noting any developmental or health concerns that may require treatment or follow-up. Having a licensed physician document this information creates a reliable baseline for the adoptive family and for ongoing care, safety, and planning within the placement.

Other elements, while sometimes relevant in broader planning, aren’t universally required as part of the standard medical assessment. A dental check, though important for overall health, isn’t typically mandated as part of the core adoption assessment. A genetic screen isn’t routinely required for every case and involves specific considerations around consent and relevance. An education evaluation can be helpful to understand learning needs, but it is not a mandatory component of the medical evaluation used for placement decisions.