Height & Weight

What do you do if the clinical scale is not balanced?

Follow manufacturer's instructions; most scales have small screw by the end of the balance bar, by adjusting the screw the scale can be balanced

Calcification

Hardening of the bone

Microencephaly

Indicated by a below-normal value for head circumference, is a very small brain and can lead to mental retardation.

What are some special scales for patients who cannot stand?

It is important to follow manufacturer's instructions while using special scales to obtain accurate weights 1.) Bed Scales- Used to weigh comatose or paralyzed patients 2.) Mechanical Lift Scale- There is a scale in the lift that measures the patient 2.)Wheelchair Scales- Used for patients who are bound to wheelchairs

Convert kilograms (kg) to pounds (lb)

MULTIPLY by 2.2 (Kg x 2.2= lb)

Convert inches (in) to centimeters (cm)

MULTIPLY by 2.5 (in x 2.5 = cm)

Head Circumference

Measured frequently in infants, can be an early indication of abnormal development of the brain

Chest circumference

Measured in infants especially if there is suspicion of over development or underdevelopment of the heart and/or brain or calcification of the rib cage. Measured in adults with COPD to determine the progression of the disease.

Infant scale

Provides an area for placing infant in a lying down or flat position

How is the height measured if the patient is taller than 50 inches (or the break of the bar?)

Readings are taken in a downwards direction and read at the break of the bar

How is the height measured if the patient is shorter than 50 inches (or the break of the bar?)

Readings are taken in an upward direction from the bottom of the scale up to the break in the bar

How do you record height?

Recorded as feet and inches OR as centimeters. Measuring bar measures inches and fractions or 1/4 inch increments. Metric bars uses 1 centimeter increments, one inch is 2.5 centimeters. If patient is taller than 50 inches (or break of the bar) readings are taken in a downward direction and read at the break at the bar.

How do you record weight?

Recorded as pounds and ounces OR as kilograms. Most scales measure pounds in 1/4 pound increments. Metric scales use kilograms with 1 gram increments, which is 0.1 kilograms. (1.0 kilogram= 2.2 pounds)

Convert feet and inches to just feet and a fraction of a foot

Remember there are 12 inches in 1 foot, divide 12 into the number of inches obtained.

Why are height measurements taken in adults?

To check for osteoporosis (soft/brittle bone)

Why is height and weight measured?

To determine if a person is overweight or underweight, to provide necessary information in performing and evaluating certain laboratory tests, used in calculating dosage for certain medications

Void

Urinate

When are height-weight measurements done?

When a person is admitted into a hospital, a long-time care facility, or another health care agency, during a general physical examination, when necessary information in performing and evaluating certain laboratory tests needs to be provided, and when calculating dosage for certain medications

What are the basic principals that must be observed while weighing and measuring an infant?

1.) Be alert to infant's safety at all times 2.) Place sheet of scale paper on the scale and balance scale at zero 3.) Remove infants clothing and diaper or ask parent to undress infant 4.) Pick up infant correctly and position the infant on scale and place hand ABOVE infant for safety 5.) move weights until scale beam is balanced 6.) Read and record the weight 7.) Place infant on flat surface 8.) Place zero park of measuring tape/rod at infant's head 9.) Straighten infant's legs and measure to infants heal 10.) if an infant is lying on examining table paper, mark the paper at the infants head and heal and measure it 11.) read and record height measurment

How do you measure an infant's chest circumference?

1.) Lay infant flat on his or her back 2.) use the thumb of one hand to hold the zero mark of the tape at he middle of the sternum 3.) use other hand to wrap the tape snugly under the axillary area and around the back to meet at midsternal area 4.) Make sure the tape is at nipple level of the chest and is not twisted 5.) Read the tape measure to the nearest 1/2 inch or 0.1 centimeter

How do you move weights until the beam is balanced on a clinical scale?

1.) Move the lower weight to the right until the balance bar drops down on the lower guide 2.) Then move this weight back one notch 3.) Move the upper weight until the balance bar swings freely halfway between the upper and lower guides 4.) Add the two weights together to determine the patient's correct weight

How do you move weights until the beam is balanced if the infant scale contains only one bar and one weight?

1.) Move the weight to the right until the balance bar swings freely halfway between the upper and lower guides 2.) Read the weight on the bar

How do you measure an infant's head circumference?

1.) Position infant on the examination table or ask parent to hold infant 2.) Use thumb or finger to hold the zero mark of the tape measure against infant's forehead above eyebrows 3.) Use other hand to bring the tape around infants head just above the ears, over the occipital bone at back of head, and back to forehead to meet the zero mark on the tape 4.) Pull the tape snuggly to compress the hair but not too tight 5.)Read the tape measure to the nearest 1/2 inch or 0.1 centimeter 6.) record the reading

What four points must be noted when daily wights are taken?

1.) Use same scale each day 2.) make sure scale is balanced before patient is weighed 3.) If possible, weigh the patient early in the morning before any food or liquids have been consumed 4.) Weigh patient at the same time each day 5.) Ask patient to void (Urinate) to empty the bladder

What are the basic principles that must be observed while weighing and measuring a patient on a clinical scale?

1.)Balance the scale with the weight at zero 2.)Ask patient to remove shoes, jackets, heavy outer clothing, purse, and heavy objects that may be in pockets- follow agency policy 3.)Assist patient on scale 4.)Make sure patient is standing unassisted with feet slightly apart and centered on the platform 5.) Balance the scale 7.) Read and record weight 8.) Assist patient off the scale 9.) Raise the height bar higher than the patient 10.) Assist the patient back onto the scale with the back facing the scale 11.) Be sure patient is standing as erect as possible 12.) Ask patient to look straight ahead to keep the head level 13.) Move height bar down until it just touches top of the patient's head 14.) Record height in inches 15.) elevate bar and assist patient off scale 16.) Convert height measurement to feet and inches 17.) Record all information correctly 18.) lower height bar and return weight beams to zero position

What percent of weight deviation is usually considered normal?

10 percent

Hydrocephalus

Accumulation of fluid around the brain, usually indicated by any head circumference that measures above the 95th percentile. leads to intracranial pressure and brain damage .

Clinical scale

Contain a balance beam for measuring weight, has a measuring rod for determining height

Convert pounds (lb) to kilograms (kg)

DIVIDE by 2.2 (lb / 2.2 = kg)

Convert centimeters (cm) to inches (in)

DIVIDE by 2.5 (cm / 2.5 = in)