The nurse is screening an older woman for the early signs of osteoporosis. What assessment findings would be strongly suggestive of the presence of osteoporosis?
1. Increased pain in lower back when walking
2. A limp when walking because one leg is shorter
3. Waddling gait, frequently requiring assistive devices
4. Decrease of 3 inches in height
Answer: 4
The classic initial observations that indicate osteoporosis is the loss of height along with the spinal deformity of kyphosis or "dowager's hump." The back pain is generally continuous and does not just occur with walking. Both legs are the same length, and the gait is not particularly affected in the early stages.
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