Measuring Height — Practice Checklist

Step-by-Step Procedure (14 steps)

1. 1.

   Gather equipment: upright scale with height rod, or wall-mounted height gauge, and paper towel.

2. 2.

   Wash hands.

3. 3.

   Identify the resident and explain the procedure.

4. 4.

   Raise the height rod above the estimated height of the resident.

5. 5.

   Ask the resident to remove shoes and any hair accessories that add height.

6. 6.

   Place a paper towel on the scale platform or floor position.

7. 7.

   Assist the resident to step onto the platform and stand with their back toward the measuring rod.

8. 8.

   Instruct the resident to stand straight with heels together, head upright, eyes looking forward (Frankfort horizontal plane).

9. 9.

   Gently lower the height rod until it rests flat on the top of the resident's head.

10. 10.

    Read the measurement at eye level on the scale.

11. 11.

    Assist the resident safely off the platform.

12. 12.

    Remove the paper towel and discard.

13. 13.

    Record the height accurately, noting units (inches, feet/inches, or centimeters).

14. 14.

    Wash hands and document.

Evaluator Pass Criteria (5 checkpoints)

All of these must be observed for you to pass this skill.

• Resident removes shoes before measurement.

• Resident stands straight with heels together and head in neutral position.

• Height rod rests flat on top of the head, not tilted.

• Reading is taken at eye level.

• Measurement is accurately recorded with correct units.

Critical Mistakes — Avoid These

• ⚠

  Allowing the resident to keep shoes on — this inflates the measurement.

• ⚠

  Reading the scale from an angle, causing parallax error.

• ⚠

  Not ensuring the resident stands straight; slouching gives falsely short measurements.

• ⚠

  Allowing the height rod to tilt rather than rest flat on the head.

• ⚠

  Forgetting to record the measurement immediately.