What effect does improper patient centering have on bone density results?

What effect does improper patient centering have on bone density results?

• A. It will cause an increase in T-score
• B. It will have no effect on the results
• C. It will affect the T-score
• D. It will only affect the Z-score

Answer: (C)

Improper patient centering can significantly affect bone density results, particularly the T-score. When a patient is not correctly centered for a bone densitometry scan, the measurement may inaccurately represent bone mineral density. This misalignment can lead to variations in the detected density values, potentially increasing or decreasing the measurements depending on the specific positioning. The T-score is a comparison of an individual's bone density to the average peak bone density of a healthy young adult of the same sex. If the scan results are skewed due to improper centering, the T-score may not accurately reflect the actual bone density status of the patient. This misrepresentation is critical because T-scores are used to diagnose conditions such as osteoporosis and to guide treatment decisions. Therefore, proper patient centering is vital for obtaining reliable and valid results in bone density assessments.

Improper patient centering can significantly affect bone density results, particularly the T-score. When a patient is not correctly centered for a bone densitometry scan, the measurement may inaccurately represent bone mineral density. This misalignment can lead to variations in the detected density values, potentially increasing or decreasing the measurements depending on the specific positioning.

The T-score is a comparison of an individual's bone density to the average peak bone density of a healthy young adult of the same sex. If the scan results are skewed due to improper centering, the T-score may not accurately reflect the actual bone density status of the patient. This misrepresentation is critical because T-scores are used to diagnose conditions such as osteoporosis and to guide treatment decisions. Therefore, proper patient centering is vital for obtaining reliable and valid results in bone density assessments.