Question 5 of 19

No, that is incorrect. The FALSE statement was:

Osteoporosis-related fractures of the vertebrae will not heal and will lead to a "dowager's hump."

Osteoporosis-related fractures of the vertebrae WILL heal, however the bones do not return to their original shape. Once healed, the vertebral fractures become compressed or flattened, eventually resulting in stooped posture with subsequent loss of height and continual pain. People with osteoporosis often lose several centimeters in height as fractured vertebrae in their spine begin to collapse, leading to a "dowager's hump."

The other statements are true because:

Hip fractures CAN cause permanent disability, loss of independence and can result in death.

Osteoporosis IS a condition of excessive skeletal fragility resulting in bones that break easily - you'll recall that osteoporosis means "porous bones."

In osteoporosis, the density and quality of bone ARE reduced. This leads to the subsequent weakening of the skeleton with an increased risk of fracture.