Ms. Major, a 60-year-old female, presents to the emergency department after falling off a 25-foot ladder while cleaning the gutters. She complains of right-sided hip pain and is unable to bear weight. She has contusions on her right side and some scrapes and scratches but denies hitting her head or sustaining other injuries. She is diagnosed with a hip fracture. Ms. Major is a small-framed woman, very active, follows a healthy diet, and is well engaged in her community with many friends. What factor(s) make her more at risk for a hip fracture?

Choice A reason: DiGeorge disease involves thymic hypoplasia or aplasia, impairing T-cell development. This is a primary cause, leading to immune deficiency, making it a correct choice for the condition’s etiology.

Choice B reason: B-cell maturation is generally preserved in DiGeorge disease, as it primarily affects T-cells due to thymic defects. T-cell issues are central, so this is incorrect for the cause.

Choice C reason: T cells cannot mature in DiGeorge disease due to thymic underdevelopment, causing severe immunodeficiency. This is a core feature of the syndrome, making it a correct choice for the cause.

Choice D reason: Humans lack a bursa; B-cell maturation occurs in bone marrow. DiGeorge affects the thymus and T-cells, not a nonexistent bursa, so this is incorrect for the cause.

Choice A reason: Inward-pointing feet, or pigeon-toed appearance, describe intoeing, often due to metatarsus adductus or tibial torsion. Genu varum involves the knees angling outward, causing a bowed leg appearance, not foot positioning, making this an incorrect description.

Choice B reason: Genu varum, or bowlegs, is characterized by knees angling outward, creating a bowed appearance of the legs. This condition, common in toddlers or due to conditions like rickets, matches the described deformity, making this the correct description.

Choice C reason: Knees angling inward, causing a knock-kneed appearance, describes genu valgum, not genu varum. These are opposite deformities, with genu varum involving outward knee angulation, making this an incorrect description of the condition.

Choice D reason: Hyperextension of the knee joint, causing excessive leg straightening, describes genu recurvatum, not genu varum. Genu varum involves lateral knee angulation, not hyperextension, making this an incorrect description of the condition.