Osteoporosis Flashcards
What is Osteoporosis?
A chronic condition characterized by excessive bone loss
Triggered by various etiologies, including aging (primary) and diseases or treatments (secondary)
What are the complications of Osteoporosis?
Fractures, especially at the hip or spine
Other complications may include impaired mobility, deficient knowledge, imbalanced nutrition, risk for falls, risk for injury, and acute pain.
What causes Osteoporosis?
Imbalance between osteoblast and osteoclast function
Primary osteoporosis involves slowed osteoblast activity while osteoclast activity remains unchanged. Secondary osteoporosis can be caused by prescribed glucocorticoids.
What are the risk factors for Osteoporosis?
- Family history
- Ethnicity (especially white and Asian women above 50)
- Increased age
- Alcohol consumption
- Gender (women are more likely to get it than men
Physical assessment may reveal a small frame, height loss, and kyphosis.
At what age should women be screened for osteoporosis?
65 years of age
Men should be screened at 70 years of age. Patients with risk factors should be screened earlier.
What does a DEXA scan measure?
Bone density (thickness and strength of bones)
It uses high- and low-energy x-ray beams and assesses fracture risks.
What is the significance of T scores in bone density testing?
Indicates the number of standard deviations above or below the average BMD value for a healthy adult at 30 years old
T scores are derived from DEXA scan data.
What are some key components of medical management for Osteoporosis?
- Healthy diet
- Weight-bearing exercises
- Bisphosphonates (e.g., Alendronate, Risedronate)
- Monoclonal antibodies
- Hormone-related therapy (estrogen replacement)
- Calcitonin
Medications are prescribed to maximize bone preservation.
What should be included in nursing management for Osteoporosis patients?
- Assess physical functioning
- Encourage weight-bearing activity
- Assist with self-care
- Provide ambulatory aid
Patient education is crucial, including dietary intake, smoking cessation, and adherence to medication.
What is a major risk management strategy for Osteoporosis?
Educating patients about fracture risk reduction
This includes increasing calcium and vitamin D intake, weight-bearing exercise, smoking cessation, and medication compliance.
What should be monitored in patients with Osteoporosis?
Patient compliance with the plan of care and for fractures as a complication
Regular monitoring is essential to prevent complications.
Fill in the blank: Weight-bearing exercises are important for _______ in Osteoporosis management.
prevention and treatment
True or False: Estrogen is typically the first-line treatment for osteoporosis.
False
Estrogen is usually reserved for women with severe menopausal problems or high fracture risk patients who cannot take other medications.
What dietary changes are recommended for Osteoporosis patients?
- Increase calcium intake
- Increase vitamin D intake
- Limit sodas or colas
Recognizing foods high in calcium is also important.
What barriers should nurses assess when providing education to Osteoporosis patients?
- Limited access to healthy foods
- Limited income
- Language barriers
These barriers can affect patient adherence to dietary and exercise recommendations.
