Clinical Medical-Surgical Practice Exam

Which two measurements are required to calculate a client’s BMI?

Waist circumference and hip circumference Height and weight Age and weight Height and waist circumference

Correct Answer:

Height and waist circumference

Explanation:

BMI is a measure that estimates body fat by comparing a person’s weight to their height. To calculate it, you need two measurements: height and weight. The standard formula uses weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters (or the equivalent using pounds and inches with the 703 multiplier). Waist circumference isn’t part of the BMI calculation; it’s used for assessing central adiposity or risk with other measures like waist-to-height or waist-to-hip ratios. Age isn’t a direct input for the BMI number, though interpretation can vary in children, where age-related growth charts are used. Hip circumference is used for different indices of body composition, not BMI. So, the two measurements required to calculate BMI are height and weight.

Access more questions from this quiz

Continue to Clinical Medical-Surgical Practice Exam for more practice questions and the full quiz experience.

Access More Questions