An older female client has height loss; which diagnostic test should be anticipated?

• A. DEXA scan
• B. X-ray
• C. MRI
• D. Ultrasound

Answer: (A)

Height loss in an older woman can indicate osteoporosis with possible vertebral compression fractures, so the test that best confirms low bone density and helps assess fracture risk is a DEXA scan. This dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry study directly measures bone mineral density at key sites like the spine and hip and provides a T-score that guides diagnosis and treatment decisions. It is the standard for diagnosing osteoporosis because it quantifies density, is quick and noninvasive, and uses only a small amount of radiation. Other tests don’t reliably measure bone density: X-rays show structural changes or fractures after they occur but don’t quantify bone loss early; MRI provides detailed imaging of soft tissues and the spine but not bone density; ultrasound can assess some peripheral sites but is not the gold standard for diagnosing osteoporosis in adults.