ISCD Exam Study Set Newest 2026
Questions and Correct Answers Already
Graded A+
what is the bone remodeling cycle - CORRECT ANSWER-coordinated sequence
of activation, resorption, and formation
when does bone loss occur? - CORRECT ANSWER-when resorption exceeds
formation
when is peak bone mass reached? - CORRECT ANSWER-it is reached when the
growth in the size of bones and accumulation of bone mineral has stabilized
different skeletal sites reach maturity at different times: trochanter, mid-teens;
femoral neck, late teens; spine, early 20s.
dramatic increase in BMD during adolescence
peak reached in teens or early twenties
overall, age 30
,what is the composition of bone? - CORRECT ANSWER-bone matrix is 90%
collagen and 10% other proteins
cortical bone makes up the shafts of long bones and the outer envelope of all
bones (appendicular skeleton) - makes up 80% of the skeleton, 20% of surface
area
cancellous or trabecular bone makes up the inner parts of the bones (axial
skeleton) - accounts for 20% of skeleton, but 80% of surface area
describe basic DXA anatomy - CORRECT ANSWER-central skeleton: vertebral
column and proximal femur (axial skeleton plus hips and shoulders)...spine, ribs,
pelvis, shoulders, and hips
peripheral skeleton: upper extremities and lower extremities (arms and legs)
describe basic DXA anatomy for the spine - CORRECT ANSWER-lumbar spine
regions of interest (ROI) - analysis includes L1-L4. the surrounding structures, ribs
(T12) and iliac crests, may help with positioning
describe basic DXA anatomy for the hip - CORRECT ANSWER-ROI: femoral neck
box, total proximal hip, greater and lesser trochanters, ward's area
,explain the basic principles of operation for DXA (central skeletal) - CORRECT
ANSWER-central DXA is the current gold standard to which everything else is
compared
has excellent reproducibility
low radiation dose (1-3 uSv)
state the definition of osteoporosis - CORRECT ANSWER-NEWEST DEFINITION:
"osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder characterized by compromised bone strength
predisposing to an increase risk of fracture. bone strength reflects the integration
of two main features: bone density and bone quality"
Osteoporosis can also be defined based on the presence or history of a low-
trauma or fragility fracture
-2.5 T score or below
what is a fragility/low trauma fracture - CORRECT ANSWER-a fracture resulting
from the force of a fall from a standing height or less; or a bone that breaks under
the conditions that would not cause a normal bone to break
, summarize the pathophysiology of osteoporosis - CORRECT ANSWER-bone
loss occurs when resorption exceeds formation - this can happen due to a number
of things; age related bone loss, disease related to bone loss (ex: malabsorption
diseases like certain cancers), menopause, lifestyle, etc. as bone loss occurs, there
is loss of quality as well as quantity. WHO classifies osteoporosis as -2.5 or below
T-score.
what is the definition of prevalence - CORRECT ANSWER-frequency of disease
at a specific point in time ("30% of women over age 50 have osteoporosis")
what is the definition of incidence - CORRECT ANSWER-new cases of disease
over a specific period of time ("the incidence of hip fractures in an elderly
population is 12 per 1000 person-years")
explain the prevalence and incidence of osteoporosis and fractures - CORRECT
ANSWER-prevalence of osteoporosis: estimated 200 million people have
osteoporosis worldwide
incidence of osteoporosis: hip fracture projected to increase 240% in women and
320% in men by 2050
in women, the incidence of clinical vertebral fractures begins to increase around
age 55-60 and rises linearly (5-10 yrs later for men)
Questions and Correct Answers Already
Graded A+
what is the bone remodeling cycle - CORRECT ANSWER-coordinated sequence
of activation, resorption, and formation
when does bone loss occur? - CORRECT ANSWER-when resorption exceeds
formation
when is peak bone mass reached? - CORRECT ANSWER-it is reached when the
growth in the size of bones and accumulation of bone mineral has stabilized
different skeletal sites reach maturity at different times: trochanter, mid-teens;
femoral neck, late teens; spine, early 20s.
dramatic increase in BMD during adolescence
peak reached in teens or early twenties
overall, age 30
,what is the composition of bone? - CORRECT ANSWER-bone matrix is 90%
collagen and 10% other proteins
cortical bone makes up the shafts of long bones and the outer envelope of all
bones (appendicular skeleton) - makes up 80% of the skeleton, 20% of surface
area
cancellous or trabecular bone makes up the inner parts of the bones (axial
skeleton) - accounts for 20% of skeleton, but 80% of surface area
describe basic DXA anatomy - CORRECT ANSWER-central skeleton: vertebral
column and proximal femur (axial skeleton plus hips and shoulders)...spine, ribs,
pelvis, shoulders, and hips
peripheral skeleton: upper extremities and lower extremities (arms and legs)
describe basic DXA anatomy for the spine - CORRECT ANSWER-lumbar spine
regions of interest (ROI) - analysis includes L1-L4. the surrounding structures, ribs
(T12) and iliac crests, may help with positioning
describe basic DXA anatomy for the hip - CORRECT ANSWER-ROI: femoral neck
box, total proximal hip, greater and lesser trochanters, ward's area
,explain the basic principles of operation for DXA (central skeletal) - CORRECT
ANSWER-central DXA is the current gold standard to which everything else is
compared
has excellent reproducibility
low radiation dose (1-3 uSv)
state the definition of osteoporosis - CORRECT ANSWER-NEWEST DEFINITION:
"osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder characterized by compromised bone strength
predisposing to an increase risk of fracture. bone strength reflects the integration
of two main features: bone density and bone quality"
Osteoporosis can also be defined based on the presence or history of a low-
trauma or fragility fracture
-2.5 T score or below
what is a fragility/low trauma fracture - CORRECT ANSWER-a fracture resulting
from the force of a fall from a standing height or less; or a bone that breaks under
the conditions that would not cause a normal bone to break
, summarize the pathophysiology of osteoporosis - CORRECT ANSWER-bone
loss occurs when resorption exceeds formation - this can happen due to a number
of things; age related bone loss, disease related to bone loss (ex: malabsorption
diseases like certain cancers), menopause, lifestyle, etc. as bone loss occurs, there
is loss of quality as well as quantity. WHO classifies osteoporosis as -2.5 or below
T-score.
what is the definition of prevalence - CORRECT ANSWER-frequency of disease
at a specific point in time ("30% of women over age 50 have osteoporosis")
what is the definition of incidence - CORRECT ANSWER-new cases of disease
over a specific period of time ("the incidence of hip fractures in an elderly
population is 12 per 1000 person-years")
explain the prevalence and incidence of osteoporosis and fractures - CORRECT
ANSWER-prevalence of osteoporosis: estimated 200 million people have
osteoporosis worldwide
incidence of osteoporosis: hip fracture projected to increase 240% in women and
320% in men by 2050
in women, the incidence of clinical vertebral fractures begins to increase around
age 55-60 and rises linearly (5-10 yrs later for men)
