Practice Question
You are the nurse providing education to a group of adults about risk factors for osteoporosis. Which individual is most at risk for developing secondary osteoporosis?
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
A 58-year-old man taking corticosteroids for chronic asthma
Rationale:
📌Secondary osteoporosis arises from an identifiable cause such as medications, endocrine disorders, or chronic diseases, rather than aging or menopause alone.
📌Glucocorticoids (corticosteroids) are a classic and major cause of secondary osteoporosis, as they decrease bone formation and increase bone resorption.
📌Long-term corticosteroid therapy also reduces intestinal calcium absorption and increases calcium loss, accelerating loss of bone mineral density.
📌This risk is significant in both men and women, even at moderate doses if used chronically, making steroid users a key group for osteoporosis prevention strategies.
📌Therefore, a 58-year-old man on chronic corticosteroids is most clearly at risk for secondary osteoporosis, directly related to his medication.
66-year-old man with a family history of osteoporosis
📌Family history of osteoporosis is an important non-modifiable risk factor, but it is typically associated with primary osteoporosis, especially age-related or idiopathic forms.
📌This scenario lacks mention of medications or diseases known to secondarily affect bone metabolism, such as steroids, endocrine disorders, or malabsorption.
📌While this man’s age and family history do increase his overall fracture risk, they do not specifically define secondary osteoporosis.
📌His risk profile is more consistent with primary (age-related) osteoporosis that occurs in older adults due to bone remodeling changes over time.
📌 Thus, although he is at risk for osteoporosis, he is not the best example of secondary osteoporosis among the options.
70-year-old woman with sedentary lifestyle and low calcium intake
📌A sedentary lifestyle and low calcium intake are important risk factors for primary osteoporosis, particularly in older adults.
📌 These factors promote reduced peak bone mass and increased age-related bone loss, but they are not classic triggers of secondary osteoporosis.
📌Secondary osteoporosis involves causes such as chronic glucocorticoid therapy, hyperparathyroidism, malabsorption, or certain medications.
📌This woman’s risk is strongly tied to modifiable lifestyle factors rather than to a distinct medical cause altering bone metabolism.
📌Therefore, she represents a patient at risk for primary osteoporosis, not the clearest example of secondary osteoporosis.
62-year-old woman postmenopausal for 10 years
📌Postmenopausal osteoporosis is the most common form of primary osteoporosis, driven largely by declining estrogen levels after menopause.
📌 Estrogen deficiency leads to increased bone resorption and a decrease in bone mineral density, especially in trabecular bone.
📌Being postmenopausal for 10 years places this woman firmly in the primary osteoporosis risk category, without evidence of a secondary cause such as medications or systemic disease.
📌While she certainly is at increased risk for fractures, her condition is not primarily labeled as secondary osteoporosis.
📌Thus, despite clear osteoporosis risk, she is not the best example when specifically asked about secondary osteoporosis.
Want to practice more questions like this?
This question is from Custom- 2201 FA25 Unit 4 Exam-South LA CC Lafayette RN which contains 31 questions.
More Questions from This Exam
You are the nurse reviewing medication orders for several patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Based on their health history, which patient should you question receiving a COX-2 enzyme blocker such as celecoxib (Celebrex)?
Answer Choices:
A nurse is teaching a patient with newly diagnosed seizure disorder about lamotrigine (Lamictal). Which patient statement indicates the need for immediate follow-up by the nurse?
Answer Choices:
A AS-year-old patient reports daily headaches that have gradually worsened over the past 3 months. The patient states that over-the-counter analgesics "don't help anymore." During the assessment, the nurse notes that the patient's pupils are unequal and the left arm drifts downward when raised. Which nursing action is most appropriate?
Answer Choices:
The nurse is reviewing clinical findings for clients diagnosed with different types of brain tumors.
The nurse is caring for a patient with multiple sclerosis who is having an acute exacerbation and difficulty walking. What should the nurse anticipate doing next?
Answer Choices:
From Exam
Custom- 2201 FA25 Unit 4 Exam-South LA CC Lafayette RN
31 Questions
View Full Exam Start PracticingQuestion Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: ATI Exam(s)
- Domain: RN ATI Adult Health
- Answer Choices: 4