Question

Based on nutritional screening findings and assessments, which client does the nurse identify as meeting the criteria for surgical treatment of obesity?

BMI 42, 30, 15, or 25

Answer 1

The client with a BMI of 42 meets the criteria for surgical treatment of obesity as they are classified as morbidly obese. Other presented BMIs do not meet morbid obesity criteria for surgery.

Step-by-step explanation:

The client who meets the criteria for surgical treatment of obesity based on their body mass index (BMI) is the one with a BMI of 42. Morbid obesity is diagnosed when a person has a BMI ≥ 35 kg/m² with obesity-related health problems or a BMI ≥ 40 kg/m² without other conditions. Therefore, the client with a BMI of 42 is considered morbidly obese and meets the criteria for surgical intervention.

Other BMIs presented, such as 30 (obese), 15 (underweight), and 25 (overweight), do not meet the same criteria for surgical treatment of obesity. The client with a BMI of 30 falls into the obese category but not morbidly obese, the client with a BMI of 15 is classified as underweight, and the client with a BMI of 25 is considered overweight but falls just on the threshold of normal and overweight categories.