Osteoporosis
A disease of reduced bone mineral density and structural deterioration that increases fragility fracture risk, particularly in postmenopausal women.
The exam loves the screening-age tell: routine bone-density (DEXA) screening is recommended for all women 65 and older, and earlier for postmenopausal women under 65 at increased fracture risk. A T-score of −2.5 or lower diagnoses osteoporosis, while −1.0 to −2.4 is osteopenia — distractors swap these, so remember the more negative the T-score, the worse the bone. When a question shows a client on a bisphosphonate (alendronate, risedronate), the answer hinges on teaching: take with a full glass of plain water, on an empty stomach in the morning, and remain upright at least 30 minutes to prevent esophagitis.
Watch the related-term traps. Estrogen loss after menopause is a leading risk factor — it accelerates bone resorption — yet the exam wants lifestyle and standard pharmacology first, not hormone therapy, given its clot and cancer risks. Don’t confuse osteoporosis (low bone density) with osteomalacia (defective mineralization from vitamin D deficiency). And map it to prevention levels: DEXA screening is secondary prevention, whereas weight-bearing exercise and calcium are primary.
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