Osmosis video - Obtaining height and weight

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.