American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Practice Exam

Which term refers to lower than average bone density that may precede osteoporosis?

1. Osteopenia

2. Osteoporosis

3. Osteoarthritis

4. Osteochondritis

The correct answer is: Osteopenia

The term that refers to lower than average bone density, which can precede osteoporosis, is osteopenia. Osteopenia indicates a reduction in bone mass that is greater than what is considered normal but not severe enough to be classified as osteoporosis. It is a critical stage where individuals are at a higher risk for developing osteoporosis, which is characterized by more significant bone loss and increased susceptibility to fractures. Recognizing osteopenia allows for early intervention strategies to help manage and potentially reverse bone density loss, such as lifestyle changes or medications, thereby preventing further deterioration into osteoporosis. The other terms listed relate to different conditions: osteoporosis is the advanced stage of reduced bone density, osteoarthritis involves joint degeneration and does not pertain to bone density specifically, and osteochondritis refers to inflammation of bone and cartilage, which also does not directly relate to bone density concerns.