Module 8 Patient Care Skill: Weighing and Measuring the Patient

Module 8: Patient Care Skill - Weighing and Measuring

Importance of Measuring Height and Weight

• Height:
  • Essential for care planning.
  • Needed to calculate fluid and nutrition requirements.
  • Used to determine medication dosages.
• Weight:
  • Regularly monitored to quickly identify illnesses or problems.

Height Measurement

• Measured periodically throughout life.
• Typically doesn't change substantially, so not measured as frequently as weight.
• Methods:
  • Stand-up scale: Use when the resident is able to stand.
  • Wall-mounted stadiometer: Use when the resident is able to stand.
  • Tape measure: Use when the resident is lying flat in bed (if unable to stand).
  • Previous healthcare records: Check for existing height records if the resident cannot stand and a tape measure isn't feasible.
• **Procedure (using stand-up scale or stadiometer): **
  • Resident faces away from the tool, looking straight ahead.
  • Back, shoulders, and buttocks against the scale or wall.
  • Feet flat on the floor, toes pointing forward.
  • Footwear is kept on for safety.
  • Head platform rests flat on the top of the resident's head.
  • Head platform should be horizontal to the floor.
  • Hold the head platform in place and ask the resident to step away.
  • Convert inches into feet and inches.

Weight Measurement

• Weight fluctuates frequently.
• Measured at least once per week, typically on the resident's bath day.
• May be measured daily for residents on diuretics or with heart or renal failure.
• Should be taken at the same time each day.
• Prior to weighing:
  • Always zero out the scale (manual or digital).
• During weighing:
  • Do not touch the resident.
  • Use a gait belt if the resident is unsteady for transfers.
  • Hold the gait belt to steady the resident, but avoid applying pressure.
• Weight change:
  • A plus or minus 3-pound change from the previous measurement is outside normal limits and must be reported to the nurse.

Weighing a Resident with an Upright Scale

• Ensure the resident has proper footwear for safety.
• Zero out the scale.
• Ask the resident to step onto the platform.
• Manual Scale Usage:
  • Move the larger bottom weight to the right until the pointer touches the bottom of the trig loop.
  • Move back to the left one notch.
  • Move the smaller weight on top until the pointer is in the middle of the trig loop (not touching top or bottom).
  • Add the two numbers together for the total weight.

Weighing Dependent or Bed-Bound Residents

• Mechanical Lift:
  • Many lifts have built-in scales with a display on the boom.
• Hospital Bed:
  • Many hospital beds have integrated scales.
  • Eliminates the need to move the resident.
• Wheelchair Scale (Resident can get out of bed but cannot stand):
  1. Measure the resident's weight in the wheelchair.
  2. Assist the resident into a different chair or bed.
  3. Weigh the empty wheelchair, including any adaptive devices, blankets, or pads.
  4. Subtract the weight of the empty chair from the weight of the resident in the chair to obtain the resident's weight.

Acceptable Weight Change

\pm 3 \text{ pounds}

• A weight change of more than plus or minus 3 pounds from the previous measurement is considered out of normal limits and must be reported to the nurse.