Final answer:
A client with an increased risk for osteoporosis would likely be older, female, with a family history of the condition and a smaller body stature. Osteoporosis results from an imbalance between osteoblasts and osteoclasts, causing weak and brittle bones and a higher risk of fractures. Preventative measures should include a calcium and vitamin D-rich diet and regular weight-bearing exercise.
Step-by-step explanation:
The client most likely to be at an increased risk for developing osteoporosis is one who has multiple risk factors associated with the condition. These include being of older age, of female sex, having European or Asian ancestry, a family history of osteoporosis, and small body stature with thin bones. Additionally, lifestyle behaviors such as smoking, high alcohol consumption, lack of exercise, and poor nutrition can contribute to the risk. In the context of this question, a nurse would likely identify a client who is a post-menopausal female, possibly with a family history and smaller body size, as having an increased risk for osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by the bones becoming weak and brittle due to an imbalance in the activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts where osteoblasts are less active leading to reduced bone formation. Clients with osteoporosis have a higher risk of fractures due to this bone weakening. Preventative measures include a diet high in calcium and vitamin D, along with weight-bearing exercises, preferably started early in life to maximize bone mass accumulation before the age of 30.