What question should the nurse ask to help determine why osteoporosis developed?

• A. What medications have you taken during the last year?
• B. How many hours of sleep do you get per night?
• C. Have you experienced any infections recently?
• D. Do your hands or feet swell when you exercise?

Answer: (A)

Medications can drive osteoporosis, especially when used over time. Many drugs interfere with bone remodeling, calcium balance, or estrogen effects, so asking about what medications you’ve taken in the last year helps identify a secondary or drug-induced cause. For example, long-term glucocorticoid therapy is a classic culprit that suppresses bone formation and increases bone loss, often leading to fractures. Other medicines can reduce calcium absorption, alter vitamin D metabolism, or lower estrogen activity, all contributing to weaker bones. By focusing on recent medication exposure, the nurse can pinpoint a potentially modifiable reason for osteoporosis and plan appropriate steps, such as referral for bone density testing, supplementation, or modifying the medication if possible. The other questions don’t directly reveal the cause of bone loss, so they’re less informative for explaining why osteoporosis developed.