482 The Nursing Assistant Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Rationale Height and weight measurements are used to calculate medication dosages and determine nutritional needs. Therefore, nursing assistants must measure and record height and weight accurately and according to facility policy. Preparation 1. Ask the licensed nursing staff how this procedure fits into the plan of care, if there are doctor’s orders for the procedure, if there are any special instructions or precautions, and if the resident can be moved into the positions required for this procedure. 2. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before entering the room. 3. Knock before entering the room. 4. Introduce yourself using your full name and title. Explain that you work with the licensed nursing staff and will be providing care. 5. Greet the resident and ask the resident to state his or her full name, if able. Then check the resident’s identification bracelet. 6. Use Mr., Mrs., or Ms. and the last name when conversing. 7. Explain the procedure in simple terms, even if the resident is not able to communicate or is disoriented. Ask permission to perform the procedure. 8. Ambulatory residents can walk to a scale placed in a central location within the facility. Bring the following items to the scale: • paper towel • a pen and pad, form, or digital device for recording the height and weight The Procedure 9. Provide privacy by closing the curtains, using a screen, or closing the door to the room. 10. Place a paper towel on the scale platform. 11. Raise the height bar above the level of the resident’s head. 12. Help the resident remove her shoes or slippers and stand on the scale platform. 13. Ask the resident to stand up straight on the center of the scale with arms and hands down at her sides. 14. Lift the height bar, extend the arm, and then lower the arm until it rests on top of the resident’s head (Figure 18.37). Figure 18.37 15. Read the height at the movable part of the ruler (Figure 18.38). Figure 18.38 16. Record the height on a pad, on a form, or in the electronic record. 17. Raise the height bar above the level of the resident’s head. When it reaches a safe height, lower the arm and then return the height bar to its starting point. 18. Ask the resident to stand straight again with arms and hands at her sides. 19. Move the weights on the balanced scale bar to zero. Measuring the Height and Weight of Ambulatory Residents Procedure