Height & WeightMod E: Ch. 21

Height

• Admission baseline

• Recorded in feet (‘) and inches (“) or centimeters (cm), 1 inch = 2.54 cm

• Changes over time:

• Children grow taller

• Adults “shrink” due to decreased cartilage in spine, bone loss, diseases, limb loss etc.

• May use ruler attached to upright scale: p. 342

• pt stands with back to scale part, heels back, straight

• Measuring bar needs to be level with top of pt head

• Read movable point of ruler

• May use tape measure to measure pt in bed

• P. 344 a patient who is able to lay straight

• P. 343 a patient who is unable to lay straight (in sections)

Weight p. 339

• Admission baseline

• Measured in pounds (lb) or kilograms (kg); 2.2 lbs = 1 kg

• Indication of nutritional status

• Frequently (often daily) measured when pt is on diuretics

• BEST way to determine fluid accumulation in patient ex. Weight gain of more than 1-2 lbs/day or 5 lbs/week

• Report any such drastic changes to nurse right away!!

Different scales• Upright scale: for ambulatory pt only; can’t hold or support

pt!

• Chair scale: for pt to sit in while being weighed

• Wheelchair scale: pt is wheeled on in wheelchair (needs to be zeroed with wheelchair weight first!)

• Sling scale: pt sits/lays in sling while being weighed

• Mechanical lift scale: pt can’t stand or sit

See pictures on p. 340

Obtaining accurate weight p. 341

• Always balance scale before using it (zeroing it)

• Have pt empty bladder; empty urinary catheter drainage bag

• If pt wears brief, make sure it’s dry

• Weigh at same time, same scale, same method

• Pt should wear same type of garments

• Bar scale: lower bar in 50 lbs increments, upper bar in ¼ lbs increments, must add both up.

Important abbreviations:

• a.c. – before meals

• ad lib – freely, as desired

• a.m. - morning

b.i.d. – twice a day

• h.s. – at bedtime

• p.c. or p.p. – after meals

• p.m. – afternoon

• p.r.n. – as needed

q.d. – daily

q.i.d. – 4 times a day

t.i.d – 3 times a day

24 Hour clock!• When documenting, always use 24 hour clock =

military time!

• Ex. 12.10 a.m.= 0010; 1 a.m. = 0100; 7.15 a.m. = 0715; 2.24 p.m. = 1424

Fill in the right time:

5.20 a.m. - _________ __________ - 0725

3.56 p.m. - __________ __________- 2045

11.58 p.m. - __________ ___________ - 1736

2.17 a.m. - ____________ __________ - 1502

12.10 a.m. - __________ __________ - 1359

Homework:

Read Unit 21 in Textbook: p. 339-345

Workbook p. 134-139: read Unit Summary, Nursing Assistant alert

do: Completion questions, all Reading weights and heights, all True/false