QUESTION 1
Alyssa is a 74-year-old female patient who presents to her primary care provider for a
routine physical. She states that she feels “quite healthy” and has no complaints other than
mild back pain. She has a
...
QUESTION 1
Alyssa is a 74-year-old female patient who presents to her primary care provider for a
routine physical. She states that she feels “quite healthy” and has no complaints other than
mild back pain. She has a family history of various cancers, diabetes, and osteoporosis, so
she knows that it is important to stay active and keep up with screenings and annual
physical exams. Alyssa’s provider finds that she has lost 10 pounds since last year’s exam.
She is almost a full inch shorter, as well.
Alyssa’s provider suspects that she may have osteoporosis. Which other two factors would
support that other diagnosis?
Taking calcium supplements and intense daily exercise
Family history of cancer and obesity
Weight loss and history of surgery
A history of smoking and being post-menopausal
QUESTION 2
Explain, in your own words, how Alyssa’s loss of height could be related to her possible
osteoporosis diagnosis.
When a person has osteoporosis, they typically do not have any signs or symptoms until a
fracture happens. Over time, the bones in someone that has osteoporosis start to deteriorate due
to losing bone density faster than it can be replaced. In result, individuals tend to become shorter
over time and have more frequent bone fractures (Department of Health and Human Services,
2019).
Reference
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/osteoporosis
QUESTION 3
Alyssa’s provider orders a DEXA scan. Which of the following T-score outcomes would
indicate a diagnosis of osteoporosis?
-1.4
+1.2
-2.6
0
QUESTION 4
Why might Alyssa’s provider ask her about her diet? Provide two reasons and explain how
they are related to osteoporosis.
One reason Alyssa’s provider may ask her about her diet is because, a balanced diet is very much
connected to bone growth as well as overall health. Making sure that you are getting enough
Vitamin D and Calcium in your diet throughout the day is extremely important in maintaining
your bone health which will keep the osteoporosis at bay (International Osteoporosis Foundation,
2017). Another reason is that if she is not eating correctly or getting enough of the needed
vitamins and calcium, he can educate her on what she needs to do outside of the doctor’s office
to keep the osteoporosis from progressing too rapidly.
Reference
https://www.iofbonehealth.org/nutrition
QUESTION 5
Explain how the body controls calcium levels in the bones and blood. Be sure to describe
the roles of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitonin in detail.
Blood calcium levels are regulated by PTH, PTH is generated by the parathyroid glands
(LibreTexts, 2019). PTh is released whenever blood calcium levels are low, it stimulates
osteoclasts to break down the bone to allow the release of calcium into the blood. Once released
PTH increases blood calcium levels by enhancing the amount of calcium being reabsorbed by the
kidneys before being excreted in the urine (LibreTexts, 2019). PTH triggers calcitriol formation
which in turn “increases absorption of dietary calcium through the intestines” (LibreTexts,
2019). On the other side of things, calcitonin does the opposite of PTH. Calcitonin is also
produced by the thyroid but inhibits osteoclasts and activates osteoblasts and increases calcium
in the urine through the kidneys (LibreTexts, 2019). Calcitonin is very important in children
because it stimulates bone growth, in pregnancy it reduces maternal bone loss, and in prolonged
starvation it lessens bone mass loss (LibreTexts, 2019).
Reference
https://bio.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Introductory_and_General_Biology/Book%3A_General_B
iology_(Boundless)/37%3A_The_Endocrine_System/37.3%3A_Regulation_of_Body_Processes/
37.3D%3A_Hormonal_Control_of_Blood_Calcium_Levels
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