Which statement best describes the purpose of calcitonin in osteoporosis management?

Which statement best describes the purpose of calcitonin in osteoporosis management?

• A. Delay bone resorption in women who already have osteoporosis
• B. Prevent osteoporosis
• C. Increase calcium absorption
• D. Stimulate osteoclast activity

Answer: (A)

Calcitonin works by suppressing osteoclast activity, which slows or delays bone resorption. In people who already have osteoporosis, this slowdown helps preserve bone mass and can reduce fracture risk. That makes the statement describing its purpose to delay bone resorption in those with established osteoporosis the best fit. It doesn’t prevent osteoporosis from developing in the first place, and it doesn’t increase calcium absorption from the gut; those effects are outside its primary action. It also certainly doesn’t stimulate osteoclast activity—in fact, it does the opposite.

Calcitonin works by suppressing osteoclast activity, which slows or delays bone resorption. In people who already have osteoporosis, this slowdown helps preserve bone mass and can reduce fracture risk. That makes the statement describing its purpose to delay bone resorption in those with established osteoporosis the best fit.

It doesn’t prevent osteoporosis from developing in the first place, and it doesn’t increase calcium absorption from the gut; those effects are outside its primary action. It also certainly doesn’t stimulate osteoclast activity—in fact, it does the opposite.