title: Screening, assessment, and treatment of osteoporosis for the nurse practitioner: key questions and answers for clinical practice--a Canadian perspective.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Using a case-based approach, we review key clinical questions relevant to nurse practitioners (NPs) regarding the screening, assessment, and treatment of patients at risk for osteoporosis and fractures in a Canadian general practice setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case presentation with relevant questions and answers to guide management of a patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Osteoporosis is a common condition in both the aging male and female populations. Screening, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis is lagging behind relative to other chronic disease states. NPs have a unique opportunity to help reduce this care gap by playing an integral role in the identification, risk stratification, and treatment of patients at risk for osteoporosis and fractures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case highlights the important role an NP can have in screening a patient previously not diagnosed or managed for osteoporosis. Performing a focused history and physical exam of the patient to determine appropriate screening tests and fracture risk will help in guiding treatment decisions.
authors.affiliation: Lakeridge Health Whitby PASS Program, Whitby, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Peggy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rice
authors.forename: Upender
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Mehan
authors.forename: Celeste
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015519:Bone Density; D002170:Canada; D019468:Disease Management; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D058866:Osteoporotic Fractures / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Osteoporosis; assessment; bone health; clinical practice guidelines; nurse practitioner; screening; treatment