7.12 Skills Checklist: Measuring Weight for Ambulatory Residents
1. Gather Supplies: Gait belt and scale
2. Routine Pre-Procedure Steps:
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- Knock on the client’s door.
- Perform hand hygiene.
- Introduce yourself and identify the resident.
- Maintain respectful, courteous, and professional communication at all times.
- Provide for privacy.
- Explain the procedure to the client.
3. Procedure Steps:
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- Verify the resident is wearing nonskid footwear.
- Balance (or zero) scale.
- If the resident is in a wheelchair, apply the brakes.
- Assist the resident to stand, using a gait belt as needed.
- Walk the resident to the scale.
- Assist the resident to step on the scale.
- Check that the resident is centered on the scale.
- Check that the resident has their arms at their side.
- Ensure the resident is not holding on to anything that would alter the reading of the weight.
- Adjust the weights until the scale is in balance or read analog scale.
- Assist the resident back to a seated position.
- Remove the gait belt if it was used.
- Release the brakes if the resident is seated in a wheelchair.
4. Post-Procedure Steps:
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- Check on resident comfort and ask if anything else is needed.
- Ensure the bed is low and locked. Check the brakes.
- Place the call light or signaling device within reach of the resident.
- Open the door and privacy curtain.
- Perform hand hygiene.
- Document weight and report abnormal findings to the nurse.
View a YouTube video[1] of an instructor demonstration of measuring weight:
- Chippewa Valley Technical College. (2022, December 3). Measuring Weight. [Video]. YouTube. Video licensed under CC BY 4.0. https://youtu.be/QnQoEwdcG1k ↵