Topic 10: Osteomalacia

Question 1

Osteomalacia

Answer 1

caused by a vitamin D deficiency that causes bone to lose calcium and become soft

Question 2

causes of osteomalacia

Answer 2

limited sun exposure, GI malabsorption, chronic diarrhea, pregnancy, residents of long-term care (inadequate sun exposure), dark skin (do not synthesize vitamin D as easily)

Question 3

clinical manifestations of osteomalacia

Answer 3

· Bone pain
· Muscle weakness
· Pain is often worse at night and affects lower back, pelvis, hips, legs, ribs
Waddling gait

Question 4

lab findings for osteomalacia

Answer 4

· Decreases serum calcium or phosphorus
· Decreased serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D
· Increases serum alkaline phosphate
· X-ray may show generalized bone demineralization

Question 5

what diagnostic finding in x-rays is diagnostic of osteomalacia

Answer 5

LOOSER’S TRANSFORMATION ZONES: ribbons of decalcification in bone

Question 6

interventions for osteomalacia

Answer 6

· Correcting vitamin D deficiency
· Encourage dietary intake of calcium and vitamin d
· Exposure to sunlight
Weight-bearing exercise

Question 7

dietary intake for osteomalacia includes

Answer 7

eggs, meat, and oily fish (salmon and tuna), milk and breakfast cereals fortified with calcium and vitamin D