A 55-year-old woman who experienced menopause at age 50 years undergoes central dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and has a T-score greater than 2.5.The patient weighs 130 lb and has a body mass index of 22.She sits at a computer all day at work.The primary care nurse practitioner (NP)caring for this patient should:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The NP should counsel the patient about diet and exercise.Women who are at least 5 years postmenopausal or who have several risk factors should have bone density testing.Osteoporosis is defined as a T-score of less than 2.5,and treatment is indicated for women with T-scores that are 2 or more standard deviations below the normal premenopausal level.It is not necessary to initiate treatment at this time.

A 55-Year-Old Woman Who Experienced Menopause at Age 50 Years