ISCD Exam Questions and Answers Latest Update 2025-2026
LSC - Answers least significant change= min amount of change in bone density needed to be
statistically confident that a real change has occurred
absorptiometry - Answers a method for measuring bone mineral density using the attenuation
of X-ray or gamma radiation
accuracy - Answers the degree to which a measurement value estimates the actual value of the
quantity being measured. often presented in percentage or absolute difference.
in the past measured accuracy in reference to bone ash studies. today references,
bone=hydroxypatite, fat= stearic acid, lean soft tissue- 0.6% sodium chloride
Actonel - Answers trade name for the bisphosphonate risedronate. Approved for the prevention
and treatment of osteoporsis in women and treatment of osteoporosis in men
air ratio - Answers Quality Assurance procedure- air value at 70 keV/ air value at 38 keV for scan
table
alendronate - Answers chemical name for the biosphosphonate Fosamax. Approved for the
prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in women and treatment of osteoporosis in men.
alkaline phosphatase - Answers enzyme produced predominantly in bone and liver
bone form produced by osteoblasts
measured as a biochemical marker of bone formation
amenorrhea - Answers absence of menstruation in women during reproductive years
aromatase inhibitors - Answers inhibit final step in estrogen synthesis. act on the enzyme
aromatase, needed to make estrogen
array detector - Answers a grid or series of discrete solid state electronics capable of converting
x-rays into electronic pulses
background counts - Answers measurement of environmental radiation, including leakage from
the x-ray source, taken during Quality assurance
bisphosphonates - Answers a group of drugs similar to naturally occurring ion pyrophosphatase
bone formation - Answers osteoblasts synthesize a protein matrix of fibers upon which crystals
of calcium and phosphorus are embedded during mineralization to provide strength and rigidity
, bone turnover markers - Answers proteins produced by osteoblasts (e.g. osteocalcin, bone
specific alkaline phosphatase) and correlate with bone formation or osteoclasts (e.g. N-
Teleopeptide of type 1 collagen [NTx], C-teleopeptide of type 1 collagen [CTx] and correlate with
bone resorption
bone remodeling - Answers cyclic process of bone breakdown and formation that is responsible
for maintenance, and repair of bone tissue and maintenance of calcium homeostasis
bone remodeling unit - Answers BMU= a group of cells that create one new packet of bone
900BMU activated/ day in trabecular bone
180BLMU activated/ day in cortical bone
bone resporption - Answers body degrades bone.
bone turnover - Answers metabolic, cyclic process of bone formation and resorption
Boniva - Answers bisphosphonate, ibandronate manufactured by Roche. Approved for
prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis
BUA - Answers broadband ultrasound attenuation: parameter measured by quantitative
ultrasound. quantifies energy lost from sound wave as it passes through
calcifediol - Answers 25-hydroxylated form of vitamin D (25(OH)D) converted in the liver
Calcimar - Answers injectible prescription form of salmon calcitonin, approved by the FDA for
treatment of osteoporisis
calcitonin - Answers hormone produced in the thyroid that inhibits bone resorption
Calcitriol - Answers name for 1,25 dihydroxy-vitamin D3, form of Vitamin D produced in the
kidneys
calcium carbonate - Answers naturally occurring form of calcium, commonly used in calcium
supplements. 40% elemental calcium is calcium carbonate
calcium citrate - Answers man-made form of calcium use din calcium supplements. 21%
elemental calcium is calcium citrate
calcium phosphate - Answers occurs naturally in milk, used in calcium supplements, 38%
elemental calcium is calcium phosphate
Calderol - Answers prescription form of 25 hydroxy-vitamin D3
central - Answers measurement of spine or proximal femur
cholecalciferol - Answers vitamin D3, an OTC supplement (often combined with calcium and
LSC - Answers least significant change= min amount of change in bone density needed to be
statistically confident that a real change has occurred
absorptiometry - Answers a method for measuring bone mineral density using the attenuation
of X-ray or gamma radiation
accuracy - Answers the degree to which a measurement value estimates the actual value of the
quantity being measured. often presented in percentage or absolute difference.
in the past measured accuracy in reference to bone ash studies. today references,
bone=hydroxypatite, fat= stearic acid, lean soft tissue- 0.6% sodium chloride
Actonel - Answers trade name for the bisphosphonate risedronate. Approved for the prevention
and treatment of osteoporsis in women and treatment of osteoporosis in men
air ratio - Answers Quality Assurance procedure- air value at 70 keV/ air value at 38 keV for scan
table
alendronate - Answers chemical name for the biosphosphonate Fosamax. Approved for the
prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in women and treatment of osteoporosis in men.
alkaline phosphatase - Answers enzyme produced predominantly in bone and liver
bone form produced by osteoblasts
measured as a biochemical marker of bone formation
amenorrhea - Answers absence of menstruation in women during reproductive years
aromatase inhibitors - Answers inhibit final step in estrogen synthesis. act on the enzyme
aromatase, needed to make estrogen
array detector - Answers a grid or series of discrete solid state electronics capable of converting
x-rays into electronic pulses
background counts - Answers measurement of environmental radiation, including leakage from
the x-ray source, taken during Quality assurance
bisphosphonates - Answers a group of drugs similar to naturally occurring ion pyrophosphatase
bone formation - Answers osteoblasts synthesize a protein matrix of fibers upon which crystals
of calcium and phosphorus are embedded during mineralization to provide strength and rigidity
, bone turnover markers - Answers proteins produced by osteoblasts (e.g. osteocalcin, bone
specific alkaline phosphatase) and correlate with bone formation or osteoclasts (e.g. N-
Teleopeptide of type 1 collagen [NTx], C-teleopeptide of type 1 collagen [CTx] and correlate with
bone resorption
bone remodeling - Answers cyclic process of bone breakdown and formation that is responsible
for maintenance, and repair of bone tissue and maintenance of calcium homeostasis
bone remodeling unit - Answers BMU= a group of cells that create one new packet of bone
900BMU activated/ day in trabecular bone
180BLMU activated/ day in cortical bone
bone resporption - Answers body degrades bone.
bone turnover - Answers metabolic, cyclic process of bone formation and resorption
Boniva - Answers bisphosphonate, ibandronate manufactured by Roche. Approved for
prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis
BUA - Answers broadband ultrasound attenuation: parameter measured by quantitative
ultrasound. quantifies energy lost from sound wave as it passes through
calcifediol - Answers 25-hydroxylated form of vitamin D (25(OH)D) converted in the liver
Calcimar - Answers injectible prescription form of salmon calcitonin, approved by the FDA for
treatment of osteoporisis
calcitonin - Answers hormone produced in the thyroid that inhibits bone resorption
Calcitriol - Answers name for 1,25 dihydroxy-vitamin D3, form of Vitamin D produced in the
kidneys
calcium carbonate - Answers naturally occurring form of calcium, commonly used in calcium
supplements. 40% elemental calcium is calcium carbonate
calcium citrate - Answers man-made form of calcium use din calcium supplements. 21%
elemental calcium is calcium citrate
calcium phosphate - Answers occurs naturally in milk, used in calcium supplements, 38%
elemental calcium is calcium phosphate
Calderol - Answers prescription form of 25 hydroxy-vitamin D3
central - Answers measurement of spine or proximal femur
cholecalciferol - Answers vitamin D3, an OTC supplement (often combined with calcium and
