Decreased bone density is called:

Appeared in: AIIMS Delhi NO-2016

Explanation

Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disease defined by decreased bone mass and the structural deterioration of bone tissue.
The underlying cause is an imbalance where bone resorption (breakdown) outpaces bone formation (deposition), leading to reduced bone density.
This loss of density makes bones porous, brittle, and highly susceptible to fractures, especially in the hip, spine, and wrist.

Option B: Osteomalacia is the softening of bones due to defective or inadequate bone mineralization, not a primary loss of bone mass.
Option C: Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease affecting cartilage and the underlying bone at the joints. It does not primarily involve a generalized decrease in bone density throughout the skeleton.
Option D: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation and damage to the joints. While it can be a risk factor for secondary osteoporosis, it is not the definition of decreased bone density itself.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Definitions of Metabolic Bone Diseases as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a key role in educating patients about osteoporosis prevention through diet (calcium, vitamin D), weight-bearing exercise, and lifestyle modifications (smoking cessation, limiting alcohol).
A primary nursing concern for patients with diagnosed osteoporosis is fall prevention to avoid debilitating fractures. This involves environmental safety assessments and patient education on safe movement.
Screening for osteoporosis using bone mineral density (BMD) tests, like DEXA scans, is crucial for at-risk populations, particularly postmenopausal women.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question that tests the definition of a medical term.
Identify the key phrase in the stem: 'Decreased bone density'.
Systematically evaluate each option against this definition.
Break down the term 'Osteoporosis': 'Osteo-' refers to bone, and '-porosis' refers to a porous or spongy condition. This linguistic clue directly points to the correct definition.
Differentiate it from 'Osteomalacia' ('-malacia' means softening), and 'Osteoarthritis' ('-arthritis' means joint inflammation) to confirm the best fit.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QZ2zP1ajQW769gXtHIdbNx

E6 Pathology- ROBBINS & COTRAN PATHOLOGIC BASIS OF DISEASE 10TH Ed p. 1178-1180

E6 Textbook of Biochemistry for medical StudentsDM Vasudevan Part 2 — Subpart A (pp 1-239 of 478) p. 167-169

E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 2 p. 1200-1202

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