Obtaining height and weight
Definitions & Key takeaways
Weight and height are important indicators of the client's overall health and nutritional status. For example, daily weight measurement can help to monitor fluid retention in a patient with kidney or heart disease. When used for monitoring, weight measurement should be done at the same time of the day, and the patient should empty their bladder before weighing, and wear the same type of clothes each time. This will help to have accurate weight measurements, and detect even small weight changes.
A patient's height can be measured while standing straight, where the height rod is moved downward until it rests on the client's head, and then note the reading at which the rod meets the scale. Sometimes patients are unable to stand. This time you will assist the client to move into the supine position, and ensure their arms and legs are straight by their sides. Then, you'll use a tape measure for measurements.
Intro0:00–0:51
Weight and height are important indicators of the client’s overall health and nutritional status. The weight can reflect whether the disease is getting better or worse.
For example, a client with kidney or heart disease will retain fluid in their body, which increases their weight. On the other hand, a client who has cancer may lose a lot of weight.
Also, the weight is used to calculate doses of medications for the client, which helps to adjust the right dose and decrease adverse effects.
As a nursing assistant, you will measure the client's height one time, which is at admission, while the weight may be measured more frequently: at admission; periodically during the client’s stay, maybe even daily; and at discharge.Alright, there’re a few things to keep in mind to obtain accurate weight measurements.
Common care tips0:51–1:30
First, the weight should be measured at the same time of the day, so the weights can be compared. Actually, it’s best to measure it before breakfast to avoid any weight added by food or fluid the client ingests.
Before measuring the client's weight, instruct them to empty their bladder because a full bladder can also add some weight.
If they have a urinary bag, empty it first; if the client is wearing incontinence briefs, make sure they’re dry. Also, you should ask them to wear the same type of clothes every time you measure their weight; preferably they should wear a gown or pajamas and take off their footwear.
Alright, there are different scales to measure the client’s weight. These include the upright scale, chair scale, bed scale, and sling scale.
Procedure1:30–5:49
The type of scale to use depends on the client's condition and their ability to stand and move from their bed. Whatever scale you use, always remember to ensure your client's safety by providing support and assistance to prevent any falls or injuries.Now, the upright scale is used when the client can stand without assistance.
These scales can be digital or mechanical. If you’re using the digital scale, assist the client in getting onto the center of the scale platform, turn the scale on, and it will automatically measure the client’s weight.
However, if you’re using the mechanical upright scale, first move the weights all the way to the left of the balance bars.
Then, assist the client in getting onto the center of the scale platform facing the balance bar. Instruct them to hold their hands by their sides and not hold onto you or anything else.
Now, to measure their weight, slide the large weight on the lower bar close to the client’s previously measured weight. Next, slide the smaller weight on the upper bar to the right, until the balance pointer floats in the center of the balance window.
Sum up the numbers on both weight bars together and you’ll have the client’s weight. Now to measure the client’s height, ask them to turn around facing away from the scale bars.
Ask the client to stand straight, and move the height rod down till it rests on the client's head. Note the client's height where the height rod meets the scale.
Now, if the client can’t stand on their own but can get out of bed, you can use a chair scale. First, help the client to sit on the chair; use a transfer belt if needed.
Make sure the client is seated securely in the chair with their back against the seat and their feet resting on the foot rest.
Record their weight that appears on the digital display. Now, If the client can’t stand on their own and uses a wheelchair to move, you can use a wheelchair scale.
First, make sure to measure the weight of the empty wheelchair alone if it was not previously measured. Now roll the client in the wheelchair onto the scale, lock the wheels, and record the weight on the digital display.
To get the client’s weight, subtract the weight of the wheelchair from the weight recorded on the digital display. When you’re done, unlock the wheels of the chair and roll the client off the scale.
Now, for clients who can’t get out of the bed at all, you can use the in-bed scale, which is basically a bed with a built-in digital scale.
When using a bed-scale, it’s important to remove extra linens from the bed and to make sure that the client is weighed with the same amount of linens or pillows each time.
If the in-bed scale is not available, you’ll have to use a sling scale. When using a sling scale, remember to follow the specific instructions from the manufacturer as these scales may vary.
Also, another co-worker should assist you in this procedure. Now to start, adjust the bed to a comfortable level to work with and make sure bed wheels are locked.
Make sure the client is positioned in the center of the sling and instruct them to cross their arms over the chest. Now, move the scale to the side of the bed and over the client and make sure to spread its legs and lock them to prevent it from tipping over and causing injury to you or the client.
Now, attach the sling to the arms of the scale and raise the sling slowly until the client is clear of the bed. Record the client's weight from the display screen.
Now, lower the client slowly to the bed and remove the sling by rolling them to one side and then to the other for weight while the client is in bed.
Now, to measure the height, you’ll use a tape measure. First, assist the client in supine position and make sure their arms and legs are straight by their sides.
Draw a small pencil mark at the level of the client’s head on the sheet. Draw another mark at the level of their heels.
Use a tape measure to measure the distance between the two marks to get the client’s height. When weighing and measuring a client, you should report to the nurse any significant changes in their height or weight.
Reporting and documentation5:49–6:02
Document the date, time, the client's weight and height, and type of scale used.All right, as a quick recap… Weight and height are important indicators of the client's overall health and nutritional status.
Recap6:02–6:40
To obtain accurate weight measurements, the weight should be measured at the same time of the day, the client should empty their bladder before weighing, and the client should wear the same type of clothes each time.
There are different types of scales: There’s the upright scale; chair scale, or wheelchair scale; bed scale; and sling scale.
The type of scale to use depends on the client’s condition and ability to move from their bed. Remember to report changes in the client's height or weight to the nurse and document your observations.
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