Metabolic bone disease: Z-score: practice question

A Orthopaedics question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

Try it

Orthopaedics · Metabolic bone disease: Z-score

Sample item

A DXA scan is reported for a 30-year-old woman who has had amenorrhoea for several years. Which score should be used to interpret her bone density?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Z-score

The T-score compares a patient with a young adult reference and is applied to postmenopausal women and men over 50. In premenopausal women, men under 50 and children, the Z-score compares the patient with age, sex and ethnicity matched controls.

Option by option

  • A. Singh index

    The Singh index is a radiographic grading of the proximal femur trabeculae.

  • B. FRAX score

    FRAX estimates fracture probability in older adults and is not a DXA result.

  • C. T-score

    The T-score is meant for postmenopausal women and men over 50.

  • D. Z-score (correct)

    Correct. For a premenopausal woman the Z-score is used, and a low value points to a secondary cause.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Orthopaedics questions

Questions about this Orthopaedics question

What is the answer to this Orthopaedics question?

The best answer is D, Z-score. The T-score compares a patient with a young adult reference and is applied to postmenopausal women and men over 50.

Why is "Singh index" not the answer?

The Singh index is a radiographic grading of the proximal femur trabeculae.

Why is "FRAX score" not the answer?

FRAX estimates fracture probability in older adults and is not a DXA result.

Why is "T-score" not the answer?

The T-score is meant for postmenopausal women and men over 50.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Metabolic bone disease: Z-score in Orthopaedics. In premenopausal women, men under 50 and children, the Z-score compares the patient with age, sex and ethnicity matched controls.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Metabolic bone disease: Z-score?

Pair each fracture with its classic complication and nerve injured. Then use the flashcards and the other Orthopaedics questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.