Weighing Patients

Question 1

Weighing patients is important because…

Answer 1

Depending on the conditions the patients have such as heart failure, increase/decrease in few pounds could be significant.

Question 2

Upright (electric or mechanical), bed, chair, or sling scale.

Answer 2

Make sure scale is set to zero.

Question 3

How to use a mechanical scale:

Answer 3

1. Move all weights to left of balance bar.
2. Balance bar pointer is centered in middle of balance frame.
3. Help patient onto scale.
4. Slide large weight on bottom to groove closest to but lower than patients estimated weight.
5. Move smaller weight on top to the right till balance bar pointer is in center of balance frame.
6. Record patients weight.

Question 4

Chair scale:

Answer 4

1. Wheel patient onto scale.
2. Subtract wheelchair weight.
3. Record patients weight.

Question 5

In-bed scale:

Answer 5

1. Subtract weight of bedding and equipment.
2. Explain to patient during procedure.
3. Make sure all connections are secure before raising patient.