Chapter 29 - Height and Weight
MA should educate the patient on what regarding, BMI?
-ideal BMI for age -Significance of the BMI -Measures to maintain a healthy body weight, such as dietary intake and physical activity,
In what circumstances may patients need to be more careful and continuously monitor weight for early diagnosis and prompt treatment?
-the patient was diagnosed with diabetes, obesity, anorexia, and bulimia. -pregnant patients (to ensure a healthy pregnancy) Weight gain that is too little can indicate an issue with the fetus, while excessive weight gain may indicate fluid retention due to gestational hypertension or other pathological issues during pregnancy. -patients with cardiovascular disorders. Such patients may retain fluid due to the diagnosed disease process.
Weight Conversion: Kilograms to Pounds
1 kg = 2.2 lb (pounds); therefore, the MA will multiply the weight in kg by 2.2 EX: If the patient is 75 kg, the MA will complete the following: 75 x 2.2 = 165 lb
Weight Conversion: Pounds to Kilograms
1 lb (pound) = 0.45 kg; therefore, the MA will complete one of the following: Multiply the weight in pounds by 0.45 kg Divide the weight in pounds by 2.2 kg EX: If the patient is 150 lbs then, 150 x 0.45 = 67.5 kg 150 ÷ 2.2 = 68 kg
When MA has to manually calculate BMI, whats the equation?
= weight in kg/height² in m. EX: A patients current weight is 140 lb and the current height is 5'2" tall. What would the BMI be for the patient. 1 lb = 0.45 kg; therefore, 140 lb = 63 kg The height of the patient is 5'2 1 foot = 0.3048 meters; 5 x 0.3048 = 1.524 m 1 inch = 0.0254 meters; 2 x 0.0254 = 0.0508 m Actual height of the patient in meters is 1.524 + 0.0508 = 1.574 Using the BMI formula, the patient's weight in kg is divided by the patient's height² in m. therefore, BMI = 63(1.574 x 1.574) = 63/2.48 = 25.5 kg/m²
Steps to Obtain Height:
A. Assist the patient to stand on the scale and stand straight while looking ahead. B. Adjust the elevation bar to the patient's height. C. Assist the patient off the scale to provide safety. D. Fold the horizontal bar down. E. Return all removed items back to the patient. F. Read the marker at the moveable point of the ruler and records the measurement to the nearest one-quarter inch on the patient's medical record. EX: (ht: 64{1/4}in) G. Reset the weight and height measure bar to zero to protect the patient's privacy. This is also done so that the scale is ready for the next patient.
Height Measurement Calculations
The MA must convert the patient's height in feet and inches to a height in cm. Follow these steps: 1 foot ( ' ) = 30.48 cm 1 inch ( " ) = 2.54 cm MA will take the height in feet and multiply it by 30.48 cm. The MA will then take the height in inches and multiply that number by 2.54 cm. Once these two numbers are obtained, the MA adds them together for a height in CM. EX: What is the height in centimeters for a patient who is 4'7 tall? The height of the patient is 4 feet and 7 inches. 1' = 30.48cm; 4 x 30.48 = 121.92 cm 1" = 2.54cm; 7 x 2.54 = 17.78 cm Therefore: 121.92 + 17.78 = 139.7 cm cm to inches ex. 165.1 cm ÷ 2.54 (inches) = 65 inches cm to feet ex. 165.1 ÷ 30.48 (feet)
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Healthcare providers use the BMI for determining the risk of certain disease conditions. BMI is calculated using the patients height and weight.
Which anthropometric measurements are needed to determine BMI?
Height, Weight
Weight measurements are measured in the patient's preference, what will the weight be converted to for the healthcare provider?
Kilograms, since this is often the system of measurement used by healthcare providers.
When checking the scale before weighing a patient, where should the balance bar floater be when all weights are at zero?
Middle of the balance frame
Is height, weight, and BMI a classified part of vital signs?
No, these are not classified as vital signs.
Where is the height & weight stored at the medical office & what is essential when documenting this information?
The height & weight measurements are recorded in the history database, these measurements are often sued as reference when the patient re-visits the medical facility. A patient's privacy or confidentiality is very important when measuring height & weight, this data is often a source of embarrassment. Am should take weight in a private era and also not read the wight out loud to avoid embarkment for the patient.
The MA will often collect height measurements in ft & inch, because it is what is familiar to the patient. What will the height or length be converted to for the physician?
The height or length will be converted to centimeters, since this is often the system of measurement used by healthcare providers.
Which is the rationale for obtaining anthropometric measurements with vital sings?
To ensure proper proportions for homeostasis
What should the MA explain to the patient who has a high BMI?
Your BMI is 30 today
When should height and weight be obtained in children?
before performing a physical examination
Calculating BMI (Body Mass Index)
calculated using height and weight measurement. The calculation is done using a BMI chart that converts the height and weight ratio into a BMI number. Alternatively, MA can use a wheeled device which records the BMI when the height and weight intersect. An online conversion calculator can also determine BMI numbers. EHR systems calculate BMI automatically and record them after the entry of the patient's height and weight.
Anthropometry
is the science that deals with the measurement of the size, weight, and proportions of the human body. Height or length measurements are of particular concern in children and adolescents because it is used to track physical growth during the growth and development assessment process.
What can a high BMI indicate?
obesity and is a risk factor for conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiac disease.
Routine height screening is required in a older patient when?
when the older patient is diagnosed with osteoporosis, since this patient may lose height over time.
125 lbs converts to ____ kgs?
56.8 To convert pounds to kilograms, divide the number of pounds by 2,2 or multiply the number of pounds by 0.45 kg.
170 cm converts to ___ inches?
66.9 Centimeters are a metric measurement of length. On inch is equal to 2.54 centimeters. To convert centimeters to inches multiply by .3937
When measuring a patient's height, the MA should document the finding to the closet ____ inch
1/4 Accurate documentation of the patient's height is important. record the measurement to the nearest {1/4} inch on the patient's medical records.
When measuring a patient's weight, the MA should document the findings to the closest ____ lb.
1/4 Accurate documentation of the patients' weight is important. record the measurement to the nearest {1/4} pound on the patients' medical record.
What is the patients BMI if the patient weight 125 lb and is 5'6"?
20.2 If a patient weigh 125 lb and is 5'6" tall, the patient's BMI is 20.2. This is calculated by taking the weight over the height squared.
Steps to Obtain Weight:
A. Sanitize and disinfect your hands. B. Introduce yourself, identify the patient, and explain the procedure to prevent errors. This also ensures patient consent and cooperation. C. Place a paper towel on the platform when the patient is removing shoes for weighing. The balance bar pointed should float in the middle of the balance frame when all weight is at zero. This ensures that the scale is in balance and adjusted. D. Instruct patient to take off coats or jackets and shoes to avoid weight alteration. Ask the patient to place his or her purse bags on a chair also, instruct the patient to remove heavy objects from pockets to avoid alteration in weight. E. Move the large weight into the groove closest to the patients estimated weight. The grooves of a standard physician's office scale are calibrated in 50-lb increments. F. Slide the small upper weight to the right along the pound markers until the pointer balances in the middle of the balance frame, when the patient is standing still. Note that if the weight is moved to a value greater than the patient's weight, the pointer drops to the bottom of the balance frame, indicating that the weight is too much. G. Leave the eights in place and instruct the patient to stand straight and look ahead. H. Read the weight scale and add the numbers at the markers of the large and small weights, making sure you record the total to the nearest quarter of a pound.
