Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumClinical Preventive Services and Screening

Serving at an ambulatory care clinic, a physician evaluates a 6262-year-old woman who is establishing care. Her past medical history is significant for severe rheumatoid arthritis, which is currently managed with methotrexate and daily high-dose prednisone. She is a lifelong non-smoker and has no family history of malignancy. She reports experiencing menopause at age 5151 and currently has no vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, or other acute symptoms. Her last colonoscopy 33 years ago was normal. A screening mammogram and cervical cancer screening (Pap and HPV co-test) performed 1010 months ago were both negative. She is up to date on her inactivated vaccines, including the recombinant herpes zoster vaccine and the annual influenza vaccine. Based on current guidelines, which of the following is the most appropriate next step in preventive care for this patient?

  1. Schedule a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scanAnswer
  2. B
    Administer the live-attenuated measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine
  3. C
    Perform a screening endometrial biopsy
  4. D
    Order an annual low-dose computed tomography of the chest
  5. E
    Prescribe daily broad-spectrum prophylactic fluoroquinolones

Answer

Schedule a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan
The correct action is to schedule a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan. Under current USPSTF guidelines, osteoporosis screening is recommended for all women aged 6565 years and older. However, it is also recommended for postmenopausal women younger than 6565 years who are at increased risk of osteoporosis. Chronic use of systemic glucocorticoids (such as high-dose prednisone for rheumatoid arthritis) is a major clinical risk factor that significantly increases the 1010-year probability of a major osteoporotic fracture. Because this patient is 6262 years old and possesses this significant risk factor, she meets the criteria for immediate DEXA screening.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the patient's demographic and clinical risk factors.
The patient is a 6262-year-old postmenopausal woman taking methotrexate and high-dose prednisone, making her immunocompromised and at high risk for bone mineral density loss.
Identifying baseline risk determines which age-based and risk-based screening guidelines apply.
2
Evaluate the status of her current preventive screenings.
She is up to date on colorectal cancer screening (33 years ago), breast cancer screening (1010 months ago), cervical cancer screening (1010 months ago), and inactivated vaccinations.
Eliminates standard age-based screenings that have already been fulfilled.
3
Apply USPSTF guidelines for osteoporosis screening to her specific risk profile.
Although she is under 6565, her chronic glucocorticoid use places her at an increased risk of osteoporotic fractures, qualifying her for early screening.
The USPSTF recommends dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) for women <65< 65 years whose fracture risk is equal to or greater than that of a 6565-year-old white woman who has no additional risk factors.

Key Concept

The USPSTF recommends osteoporosis screening with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) for women ≥65\ge 65 years and for younger postmenopausal women with an elevated risk of fracture, such as those on chronic systemic glucocorticoid therapy.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Rate this question

Topics

Clinical Preventive Services and Screening

More questions from this topic