Reference no: EM133324384

A 76-year-old postmenopausal woman has come to the clinic for moderate to severe backache; pain interferes with all activities of daily living, bathing, going out with friends and recently sleeping. She admits to being tearful as things are changing and "I am getting old and unable to do what I like to do."

• She works 2 days/week as a secretary. Ordinarily, she has an active social life and enjoys walking and going out with her friends, but lately she hasn't felt good and canceling social activities. Pain has gotten in the way and she feels that she will injure herself of fall.
• Pain is rated 8/10.
• Nutritionally, she eats two meals a day, but does not like milk or cheeses. She admits to drinking alcohol socially three to four times a week.
• She reports recently she changed her shoes to slip on due to bending and trying to tie the shoes. Her daily routine does not involve much exercise other than walking with friends.
• Medical history includes hypertension; the patient reports taking lisinopril 10 mg orally daily. She has no known drug allergies. She has smoked 1ppd for 15 years and does not plan on quitting.
• Vital signs are temperature 98.9 HR 92/min; Respirations 18/min; and blood pressure 148/80 mm Hg.
• The patient needs diagnostic tests of her spine and pain management.

1. Identify four questions that the nurse would ask the patient while performing the assessment.
2. The patient says that she does not like milk and rarely drinks it. How could she increase her calcium intake?
3. The health care provider suspects osteoporosis. What test is most likely to be ordered, and what should the nurse tell the patient about the test?
4. Fill in the typical diagnostic test and laboratory results for patients who have osteoporosis.