DEXA Pharmacology & Osteoporosis Treatment Monitoring Flashcards
6 cards from real DEXA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 DEXA Pharmacology & Osteoporosis Treatment Monitoring flashcards as text
Which class of medications is most commonly prescribed as first-line pharmacotherapy for postmenopausal osteoporosis in the US?
Answer: Bisphosphonates (e.g., alendronate, risedronate)
Bisphosphonates are the most widely used first-line agents for postmenopausal osteoporosis due to their proven fracture reduction and cost-effectiveness.
How long should a DEXA technologist wait before performing a follow-up BMD scan to assess treatment response for a patient on bisphosphonate therapy?
Answer: At least 1–2 years after initiating therapy
ISCD guidelines recommend waiting 1–2 years before a follow-up DEXA to detect meaningful BMD changes that exceed the LSC on bisphosphonate therapy.
A patient's follow-up spine BMD shows a statistically significant decrease despite 2 years of bisphosphonate therapy. What does this indicate?
Answer: Possible treatment failure, non-adherence, or secondary cause of bone loss requiring clinical evaluation
A significant BMD decrease despite therapy signals potential treatment failure, poor adherence, or an undiagnosed secondary cause of bone loss.
Which anabolic agent used for osteoporosis treatment stimulates new bone formation by mimicking parathyroid hormone?
Answer: Teriparatide (Forteo)
Teriparatide is a recombinant PTH(1-34) analog that activates osteoblasts to build new bone, making it an anabolic (bone-building) therapy.
What BMD change pattern is typically seen in the lumbar spine during the first 1–2 years of teriparatide therapy?
Answer: Significant BMD increase in the spine, often 8–13%
Teriparatide typically produces robust spine BMD gains of 8–13% over 18–24 months, significantly exceeding gains seen with antiresorptive agents.
Denosumab (Prolia) reduces bone resorption by inhibiting which signaling molecule?
Answer: RANK ligand (RANKL)
Denosumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds and neutralizes RANKL, blocking osteoclast differentiation and activity.
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