Measuring Height and Weight Staff Inservice Use: Nutrition staff members to deliver this inservice to nurses, nursing assistants, and kitchen staff. Invite everyone to measure their height and weight as an (optional) activity. Introduction: Accurate height and weight measurements are critical for RD’s, DTR’s, and CDM’s to complete their assessments of patients and set the stage for nutrition interventions. They are also necessary for long-term evaluation of a resident’s health status because changes in weight can indicate other medical changes. Weights and heights should be obtained as soon as possible after admission to a medical facility and at regular periods as specified by a facility’s policy. Heights and weights should be measured whenever possible; facilities should not rely on the memories of patients or families for this information. Measuring height can be difficult on bedbound patients or those with contractures but alternate methods of obtaining height are available. Quick reading to review the topic: Collins, Nancy. Measuring Height and Weight. Article in Advances in Skin and Wound Care, March/April 2002. Available at http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3977/is_200203/ai_n9054246. Accessed May 1, 2006. Objectives: 1. Staff will understand the importance of accurate height and weight measurements to the delivery of medical care for a patient 2. Staff will know alternative methods for measuring height in a bedbound patient 3. Staff will be aware of the correct method to obtain weight on a patient Outline: I. Importance of accurate height and weight measurements a. Height is used to calculate a patient’s Ideal Body Weight (IBW) and Body Mass Index (BMI). An inaccurate height results in an inaccurate IBW and BMI b. Weight is used to calculate a patients Body Mass Index (BMI). Admission weight is used as an indicator of overall health status and used as a benchmark against which to evaluate weight changes when they occur c. Medication doses are often prescribed based on weight. An inaccurate weight could result in an overdose or too low dose of medications. d. Height and weight are used to calculate a patient’s calorie, protein, and fluid needs. If data is inaccurate then these calculations will also be inaccurate. e. Inaccurate heights and weights can be cited in facility inspections as well as lawsuits. Measuring Heights and Weights Inservice 1 II. Obtaining height measurement a. Use a measuring stick fixed against a wall. Ask patient to stand with his/her back to the wall and feet against the wall. Resident should be measured without shoes. b. Use the measuring rod on a platform scale. Resident should be measured without shoes. b. Supine measurement: Position the client against a bed without pillows or wedges. Lay as flat as possible with body and limbs straight. Mark the surface at the tip of the head and base of the heels. Move the patient and measure the length of the flat surface. c. Arm span measurement: Using a cloth measuring tape, have the patient extend one arm out. Measure from the notch in the sternum to the tip of the fingertips and double. This is an ESTIMATE of height but may be the only way to obtain height for some patients. III. Obtaining weight measurements: a. Use type of scale appropriate for resident’s weight, medical condition, and ability to ambulate. b. Balance the scale to zero before weighing. c. Position the client as comfortably as possible whether standing, in a wheelchair, or in a sling. d. Record the weight. If it is not close to resident’s previous weight, re-zero the scale and reweigh. e. If using wheelchair weight, subtract the weight of the chair from the weight obtained. IV. Important points a. Weigh each patient at roughly the same time of day and similar weight of clothing for each weighing. b. Use the same scale and have the same person weigh patient for each weighing. c. Be aware of casts, full catheter or colostomy bags, splints, and other devices that can affect weight and note if those items are present. Activity: Ask for a volunteer. Measure the height of that person using all 4 methods discussed in this inservice. Discuss results with participants. Measuring Heights and Weights Inservice 2 Measuring Height and Weight Pre and Post Test Name:___________________________________ Date:____________________________________ Department:______________________________ 1. True or false: A patient’s admission weight is not important to anyone but the dietary department. 2. Which method would be the best way to measure the height of a man that can walk freely around the medical facility? a. c. d. e. Supine measurement Arm span measurement Standing against a fixed measuring stick Ask the patient what his height is 3. True or false: If a patient weighs 10 pounds less than he did when he was last weighed, he should be reweighed before his weight is recorded. 4. Which of the following can cause a patient’s weight to vary from one weighing to another: a. Removal of a cast b. A full catheter bag c. Using a different wheelchair than usual d. All of the above 5. Which method will not work to measure the height of a bedbound woman? a. b. c. d. Supine measurement Arm span measurement Standing against a fixed measuring stick Both a and b Measuring Heights and Weights Inservice 3 Answer key 1. False 2. d. Standing against a fixed measuring stick 3. True 4. d. All of the above 5. d. Both a and b. Measuring Heights and Weights Inservice 4