ExamReady CNAVital Signs
Weighs Ambulatory Client
Weigh the resident on the same scale, at the same time of day, in similar clothing for accurate comparison. The resident wears non-skid footwear. Balance the scale, ask the resident to step on, read at eye level, step off, record.
3-5 minutes•9 steps•1 critical
Why this matters
Non-skid shoes on. Same scale, same time, same clothes for comparison.
Quick tips
- Zero the scale before the client steps on.
- Non-skid footwear before they walk to the scale.
- You must be able to zero both a standing scale and a non-digital bathroom scale.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting to zero the scale, which adds error to the reading and can put your number outside the tolerance.
- Letting the client walk to the scale in socks or slippery shoes, which is a safety failure.
- Misreading the balance beam or writing the wrong units on the recording sheet.
- Letting an unsteady client step on or off the scale without your help.