Care Manager Certification Practice Exam

Which information is necessary for calculating a patient's Body Mass Index (BMI)?

1. The client's waist circumference

2. The client's weight

3. The client's physical activity level

4. The client's height

The correct answer is: The client's height

To calculate a patient's Body Mass Index (BMI), one essential piece of information is the client's height. BMI is a numerical calculation derived from a person's weight and height, and it provides a useful measure of body fat based on these two parameters. Specifically, the formula for BMI is weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters. While weight is also necessary for the calculation, height is critical because it is part of the formula that converts weight into a standardized index that reflects body mass in relation to height. Without height, the BMI cannot be accurately calculated, as the relationship between weight and height is fundamental to this index. Other factors, such as waist circumference or physical activity level, do not contribute directly to the calculation of BMI itself. Instead, they may offer additional insights into a person's health status but are not required for BMI computation.