Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board (ONCB) Metabolic/Inflammatory/Tumors Practice Exam

Which area of the body do early osteolytic lesions of Paget's disease most commonly affect?

1. Skull and long bones

2. Long bones and hands

3. Hands and vertebrae

4. Vertebrae and skull

The correct answer is: Skull and long bones

Early osteolytic lesions of Paget's disease primarily affect the skull and long bones. This disease is characterized by abnormal and excessive bone remodeling, leading to areas of increased bone resorption followed by disorganized bone formation. The skull is often involved because the disease tends to affect the bones that have a high turnover rate. The long bones, such as the femur and tibia, are also commonly involved due to their size and structural role in the body. In terms of the progression of Paget’s disease, these areas are where the initial osteolytic lesions typically manifest, making them the most common sites of early disease activity. Understanding that the skull and long bones are the primary regions affected provides a foundation for recognizing the clinical manifestations and implications of this condition in patients.