Height and Weight Measurement
Most patients have their height and weight routinely measured during admission to a health care facility. An accurate record of the patient’s height and weight is essential for calculating dosages of drugs, anesthetics, and contrast agents; assessing nutritional status; and determining the height-weight ratio. And because body weight provides the best overall picture of fluid status, monitoring weight daily proves important for patients receiving sodium-retaining or diuretic medications. Rapid weight gain may signal fluid retention; rapid weight loss may indicate diuresis.
Weight can be measured with a standing scale, chair scale, or bed scale. (See Types of scales.)
Equipment
Standing scale with measurement bar or chair or bed scale ▪ wheelchair (if needed to transport patient) ▪ drawsheet (for bed scale)
▪ paper towel ▪ Optional: Gloves, ruler (if scale doesn’t have measuring bar), tape measure (to measure the height of a patient who is unable to stand), hospital-grade disinfectant.
▪ paper towel ▪ Optional: Gloves, ruler (if scale doesn’t have measuring bar), tape measure (to measure the height of a patient who is unable to stand), hospital-grade disinfectant.
Preparation of Equipment
Select the appropriate scale, typically a standing scale for an ambulatory patient or a chair or bed scale for an acutely ill or debilitated patient. Then check to make sure the scale is balanced. Standing scales and, to a lesser extent, bed scales may become unbalanced when transported.
Implementation
Confirm the patient’s identity using at least two patient identifiers according to your facility’s policy.4
Explain the procedure to the patient. Refer to a chart of suggested healthy weight ranges to determine norms for your patient’s height and weight. (See Suggested weights for adults.)
Using A Standing Scale
Place a paper towel on the scale’s platform.
Zero the scale. If the scale has wheels, lock them before the patient steps on.
If you’re using a digital scale, make sure the display reads 0 before use.
Tell the patient to remove his robe and slippers or shoes.
Assist the patient onto the scale and remain close to him to prevent falls.
If you’re using an upright balance (gravity) scale, slide the lower rider to the groove representing the largest increment below the patient’s estimated weight. Grooves represent 50, 100, 150, and 200 lb. Then slide the small upper rider until the beam balances. Add the upper and lower rider figures to determine the weight. (The upper rider is calibrated to eighths of a pound.)
Return the weight holder to its proper place.
If the scale is digital, read the display with the patient standing as still as possible.
While the patient is still on the scale, tell the patient to stand erect. Then raise the measuring bar until it touches the top of the patient’s head. Extend the horizontal bar, and lower the bar until it touches the top of the patient’s head. Read the patient’s height.
Help the patient off the scale, and give him his robe and slippers or shoes.
Using A Chair Scale
Transport the patient to the weighing area or the scale to the patient’s bedside.
Lock the scale in place to prevent it from moving accidentally.
If you’re using a scale with a swing-away chair arm, unlock the arm. When unlocked, the arm swings back 180 degrees to permit easy access.
Position the scale beside the patient’s bed or wheelchair with the chair arm open. Transfer the patient onto the scale, swing the chair arm to the front of the scale, and lock it in place.
If the chair scale is digital, make sure the display reads 0 before use. Press the button and record the patient’s weight. If using a multiple-weight scale, use the same process as a standing scale to determine the weight.
Help the patient off the scale.
Lock the main beam to avoid damaging the scale during transport. Then unlock the wheels and remove the scale from the patient’s room.
Suggested Weights for Adults
This chart provides a guideline for determining healthy weights. Higher weights in each category typically apply to men, who average more muscle and bone; lower weights typically apply to women, who average less muscle and bone. Height is measured without shoes; weight is measured without clothes. The health risks of excess weight seem to apply to older and younger adults alike.
| Height | Weight (in pounds) |
|---|---|
| 4′ 10″ | 91 to 119 |
| 4′ 11″ | 92 to 124 |
| 5′ 0″ | 97 to 138 |
| 5′ 1″ | 101 to 143 |
| 5′ 2″ | 104 to 148 |
| 5′ 3″ | 107 to 152 |
| 5′ 4″ | 111 to 157 |
| 5′ 5″ | 114 to 162 |
| 5′ 6″ | 118 to 167 |
| 5′ 7″ | 121 to 172 |
| 5′ 8″ | 125 to 178 |
| 5′ 9″ | 129 to 183 |
| 5′ 10″ | 132 to 188 |
| 5′ 11″ | 136 to 194 |
| 6′ 0″ | 140 to 199 |
| 6′ 1″ | 144 to 205 |
| 6′ 2″ | 148 to 210 |
| 6′ 3″ | 152 to 216 |
| 6′ 4″ | 156 to 222 |
| 6′ 5″ | 160 to 228 |
| 6′ 6″ | 164 to 234 |
Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel
Full access? Get Clinical Tree
