A woman arrives at the clinic seeking confirmation that she is pregnant. The following information is obtained: She is 24 years old with a body mass index (BMI) of 17.5. She admits to having used cocaine "several times" during the past year and occasionally drinks alcohol. Her blood pressure is 108/70 mm Hg. The family history is positive for diabetes mellitus and cancer. Her sister recently gave birth to an infant with a neural tube defect (NTD). Which characteristics places this client in a high-risk category?
A. Family history, blood pressure (BP), BMI
B. Drug and alcohol use, age, family history
C. Family history, BMI, drug and alcohol abuse
D. Blood pressure, age, BMI

Although there are many characteristics that may demonstrate that this woman is in a "high-risk" category, the main characteristics are family history, BMI, and her drug/alcohol abuse.

Her family history indicates that there are many possible genetic disorders that she could have inherited, and may even pass down to her children.

In most circumstances, a person is usually underweight if their BMI is under 18. Body Mass Index is calculated to be a ratio of a persons weight and height, and a healthy person should have a BMI between 18 and 24.

Alcohol and drug abuse are characteristics that should definitely be taken into account when treating a person, and this person being upfront about it means that the doctors are able to treat her much more effectively. Once again substance abuse can cause many health problems.