Final answer:
Bone densitometry, particularly through Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA), is used to measure bone mineral density and to monitor the effectiveness of osteoporosis treatment, but not to evaluate soft tissue adjacent to bone. The correct answer to the question is 'C. 1 and 2 only'.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bone densitometry is a medical imaging technique used to assess bone mineral density (BMD). One common form of this test is the Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA), which measures the density of bones to help diagnose conditions like osteoporosis. The use of DEXA serves multiple purposes:
- It measures the degree of bone mineralization, which is crucial for identifying the state of bone health and the risk of fractures.
- It evaluates the effectiveness of osteoporosis treatments by monitoring changes in bone density over time.
Evaluating the condition of soft tissue adjacent to the bone is not the primary purpose of bone densitometry, although changes in soft tissue can sometimes be inferred from the scan data. The focus remains on bone health and the assessment of risk associated with low bone density conditions, such as osteoporosis.
Given the options provided in the question, the correct answer would be: 'C. 1 and 2 only,' since bone densitometry is performed to measure the degree of bone mineralization and evaluate the results of osteoporosis treatment/therapy.