What does DEXA stand for in osteoporosis assessment?

What does DEXA stand for in osteoporosis assessment?

• A. Digital energy X-ray assessment
• B. Dynamic energy X-ray measurement
• C. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry
• D. Dual-energy exposure X-ray angiography

Answer: (C)

DEXA stands for Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, the standard method used to measure bone mineral density for osteoporosis assessment. By using two X-ray beams at different energy levels, it distinguishes bone from soft tissue and calculates density with high precision, yielding T-scores and Z-scores that help diagnose osteoporosis and guide treatment. The other options don’t describe this established technique: they aren’t recognized terms for bone densitometry and wouldn’t provide the bone-density measurements needed for osteoporosis evaluation.

DEXA stands for Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, the standard method used to measure bone mineral density for osteoporosis assessment. By using two X-ray beams at different energy levels, it distinguishes bone from soft tissue and calculates density with high precision, yielding T-scores and Z-scores that help diagnose osteoporosis and guide treatment. The other options don’t describe this established technique: they aren’t recognized terms for bone densitometry and wouldn’t provide the bone-density measurements needed for osteoporosis evaluation.