Height & Weight Mod 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 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. - _________ __________ p.m. - __________ __________ p.m. - __________ ___________ a.m. - ____________ __________ a.m. - __________ __________

Homework: Read Unit 21 in Textbook: p Workbook p : read Unit Summary, Nursing Assistant alert do: Completion questions, all Reading weights and heights, all True/false