Mixed Deck — All DEXA Topics Flashcards
100 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 20 Mixed Deck — All DEXA Topics flashcards as text
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.
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.
Which DEXA QA action should be performed if the daily phantom scan image shows unusual artifacts or distortion?
Answer: Halt patient scanning, document findings, and contact the service engineer
Imaging artifacts may indicate detector malfunction; patient scanning must stop until the system is inspected and cleared.
Which documentation practice BEST demonstrates regulatory compliance for DEXA certified professionals?
Answer: Maintaining organized, dated, and signed records of all activities
Organized, dated, and signed records demonstrate systematic regulatory compliance.
When a DEXA professional encounters an unexpected result during a procedure, the FIRST action should be to:
Answer: Stop, assess the situation, and determine whether to proceed or seek guidance
Stopping to assess unexpected results is critical for safety and quality.
What T-score indicates osteoporosis?
Answer: Below -2.5
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, a T-score of -2.5 or lower indicates osteoporosis. This signifies significantly reduced bone mineral density, placing the individual at a high risk for fragility fractures. T-scores between -1.0 and -2.5 indicate osteopenia, or low bone mass.
What should patients remove before a DEXA scan?
Answer: All metal objects
Patients should remove all metal objects, such as jewelry, zippers, buttons, and buckles, before a DEXA scan. Metal objects can create artifacts on the scan image by attenuating the X-ray beam, leading to inaccurate bone mineral density measurements. Removing them ensures a clear image and reliable results.
When should a DEXA system's cross-calibration be performed?
Answer: After major repairs, software upgrades, or detector replacement
Cross-calibration is required after any significant hardware or software change to ensure continuity of serial patient measurements.
What reduces movement artifacts during scanning?
Answer: Proper positioning
Movement artifacts occur when the patient moves during the scan, blurring the image and affecting measurement accuracy. Proper positioning ensures the patient is comfortable and stable, minimizing involuntary movements and allowing the scanner to capture clear, precise data. This is crucial for obtaining reliable bone mineral density readings.
Which assessment method provides the MOST reliable data for DEXA professionals making critical decisions?
Answer: Standardized tools combined with professional observation
Combining standardized tools with professional observation provides the most comprehensive data.
What does a Z-score compare?
Answer: Bone density of age-matched peers
A Z-score in DEXA scanning compares a patient's Bone Mineral Density (BMD) to the average BMD of individuals of the same age, sex, and ethnic background. This score is primarily used for children, premenopausal women, and men under 50 to determine if their bone density is lower than expected for their age, helping identify secondary causes of low bone mass.
In male osteoporosis, which hormone deficiency is a critical secondary cause that should be assessed before starting treatment?
Answer: Testosterone deficiency (hypogonadism)
Hypogonadism is the most important secondary cause of male osteoporosis and must be evaluated before initiating pharmacotherapy.
What is precision in DEXA scanning?
Answer: Reproducibility of results
In DEXA scanning, precision refers to the ability of the scanner to produce consistent and reproducible results when measuring the same patient multiple times under similar conditions. High precision is essential for accurately monitoring changes in bone mineral density over time, as it ensures that any observed differences are due to actual physiological changes rather than measurement variability. It reflects the reliability and consistency of the measurement technique.
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.
A DEXA facility is switching from one manufacturer's system to another. What must be done before comparing serial BMD results?
Answer: Perform cross-calibration using ISCD-recommended methods and ideally rescan patients on both systems
Different DEXA systems are not interchangeable; cross-calibration studies are required to establish BMD conversion equations.
What structure covers the bone surface?
Answer: Periosteum
The periosteum is a tough, fibrous membrane that covers the outer surface of most bones. It contains blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatic vessels that nourish the bone, and it serves as an attachment point for tendons and ligaments. The periosteum also plays a vital role in bone growth, repair, and remodeling.
How should DEXA Bone Density Scan Certification professionals handle procedures that have been updated or revised?
Answer: Review updates, complete required training, and implement revised procedures
Professionals must review changes, complete training, and implement revised procedures.
What is the primary purpose of a spine phantom (e.g., Hologic or GE Lunar phantom) in DEXA QA?
Answer: To calibrate the system and detect BMD measurement drift
Spine phantoms are used to calibrate the DEXA system and monitor for measurement drift over time.
Which condition requires DEXA monitoring and is caused by elevated endogenous cortisol due to a pituitary or adrenal tumor?
Answer: Cushing's syndrome
Cushing's syndrome causes endogenous glucocorticoid excess, leading to secondary osteoporosis that requires BMD monitoring via DEXA.
When documenting assessment findings in DEXA practice, which approach is MOST appropriate?
Answer: Record objective findings, measurements, and observations factually
Assessment documentation must be objective, factual, and comprehensive.
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Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy