Patient Care Skill - Weighing and Measuring

Flashcards covering key concepts about weighing and measuring in patient care.

Why is measuring height important in patient care?

Essential for care planning, calculating fluid and nutrition requirements, and determining medication dosages.

How often should height be measured?

Periodically throughout life, but not as frequently as weight since it typically doesn't change substantially.

What is the preferred method for measuring height when a resident can stand?

Use a stand-up scale or a wall-mounted stadiometer.

What should you do if a resident cannot stand for height measurement?

Use a tape measure when the resident is lying flat or check previous healthcare records for height.

What position should the resident be in when using a stand-up scale?

Faces away from the tool, back, shoulders, and buttocks against the scale or wall, feet flat, and looking straight ahead.

What is the procedure to measure height with a stand-up scale?

Ensure proper posture and position, hold the head platform flat on the head, then convert inches into feet and inches.

How often should weight be monitored?

At least once per week, and may be daily for certain residents on diuretics or with specific health issues.

What is crucial to do before weighing a resident?

Always zero out the scale.

What should be avoided during the weight measurement?

Do not touch the resident during weighing.

What should you do if a resident is unsteady during weighing?

Use a gait belt to steady the resident without applying pressure.

What is considered a normal weight change for reporting?

A plus or minus 3-pound change from the previous measurement.

What is the procedure for using a manual scale?

Adjust the larger bottom weight to the right, then back left one notch, and adjust the smaller weight until the pointer is in the middle of the trig loop.

How is the weight of a resident measured in a wheelchair?

Weigh the resident in the wheelchair, then subtract the weight of the empty wheelchair and any adaptive devices.

What is acceptable weight change to be reported to the nurse?

Weight changes exceeding plus or minus 3 pounds from the previous measurement.

What tools can be used for weighing dependent or bed-bound residents?

Mechanical lift with built-in scales or hospital beds with integrated scales.

Why should footwear be kept on during weighing?

For safety purposes.

What type of measurement tools are used for residents who can get out of bed but cannot stand?

Wheelchair scales.

How should you document weight measurements?

Record the weight, noting any deviations from normal limits.

What is the significance of zeroing out the scale?

It ensures accurate weight measurements before the resident steps on.

Why is height measurement important for medication dosages?

It helps determine the correct dosage based on the patient's height.

What should be done in the case of significant weight fluctuation?

Report the change to the nurse.

Height is primarily used to calculate __.

Fluid and nutrition requirements.

For residents on diuretics, weight should be measured _.

Daily.

Tape measure is used for height measurement when the resident is _.

Lying flat in bed.

Which position allows an accurate height measurement?

Resident faces away from the tool, standing straight with proper posture.

Why is it important to monitor weight regularly?

To quickly identify illnesses or problems.

When measuring weight, what should be done with the resident?

Do not touch them.

What is the first step when using a stand-up scale?

Ensure the resident has proper footwear and zero out the scale.

A weight change outside of normal limits must be _.

Reported to the nurse.

Confirming weight on a stand-up scale requires what action with weights?

Combine the two weight numbers for the total weight.

Weight should be taken at the same time each _.

Day.

Why should the head platform remain horizontal when measuring height?

To ensure accurate measurement.

Monitoring weight can assist in identifying .

Health problems.

When using a manual scale, the pointer should not touch the or the __.

Top of the trig loop; bottom of the trig loop.

What device can make weighing bed-bound patients easier?

A hospital bed with an integrated scale.

What additional equipment is used for transferring unsteady residents?

Gait belt.

If a resident is in a wheelchair, subtract the weight of the empty ___.

Chair.

For accurate height measurement, the resident's _ must be against the measuring tool.

Back.

What are the components of a standard scale's weight measurement process?

Adjusting both bottom and top weights accurately.

Changes in a resident's weight may indicate _.

Health issues requiring attention.

Residents should always face when being measured for height.

Away from the scale or stadiometer.

Regularly monitoring weight helps in identifying _.

Illnesses or health issues.

If the resident cannot stand, use for height measurement.

Healthcare records or tape measure.

Adjusting the weights on a scale requires moving the _ to the right.

Larger bottom weight.

What's the ideal time to take a resident's weight?

At the same time each bath day.

Weight fluctuations in residents may need to be monitored more frequently for those with ___ or ___ failure.

Heart; renal.

When weighing, what does 'zeroing out' the scale ensure?

It provides an accurate starting point for measurement.

How is the weight of a resident's wheelchair accounted for?

By weighing it empty and subtracting from the total weight.

A resident's back, shoulders, and buttocks must be against the scale for _.

Height measurement.

Prior to weighing, ensure you have ___ footwear for the resident.

Proper.

During height measurement, where should the resident's head be in relation to the platform?

The head platform rests flat on the top of the resident's head.

In weight measurement, ask the resident to __ onto the platform.

Step.

What does a change of weight exceeding three pounds signify?

It is outside normal limits.

What should be written down for records after weighing a resident?

The weight measurement and any changes.

What measures might be taken if a resident's weight changes significantly?

Notify healthcare professionals.

What must be done with a mechanical lift's scale before use?

Ensure it is calibrated.

What considerations should be made for a resident during weighing?

Safety and proper posture.