Measuring Weight — Practice Checklist

Step-by-Step Procedure (15 steps)

1. 1.

   Gather equipment: upright balance scale or digital scale, paper towel.

2. 2.

   Wash hands.

3. 3.

   Introduce yourself, identify the resident by name, explain the procedure.

4. 4.

   Place a paper towel on the scale platform.

5. 5.

   Balance (zero) the scale before the resident steps on.

6. 6.

   Assist the resident to remove shoes and any heavy outerwear.

7. 7.

   Help the resident safely step onto the center of the scale platform.

8. 8.

   Instruct the resident to stand still with feet flat and to avoid holding the handrail (or use it only lightly for balance as facility policy allows).

9. 9.

   For a balance beam scale: move the large weight to the appropriate increment, then slide the small weight until the beam balances exactly in the middle.

10. 10.

    For a digital scale: wait until the reading stabilizes.

11. 11.

    Read the weight to the nearest quarter pound (or 0.1 kg for metric).

12. 12.

    Help the resident safely step off the scale.

13. 13.

    Remove the paper towel and discard.

14. 14.

    Record the weight accurately on the chart or flow sheet.

15. 15.

    Wash hands and report any significant weight change to the nurse.

Evaluator Pass Criteria (5 checkpoints)

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

• Scale is balanced/zeroed before the resident steps on.

• Weight is read accurately after the resident is stable and still.

• Weight is recorded to the correct precision.

• Resident is assisted on and off the scale safely.

• Paper towel is placed on the scale platform.

Critical Mistakes — Avoid These

• ⚠

  Forgetting to zero the scale before the resident steps on.

• ⚠

  Reading the weight while the resident is still moving or unsteady.

• ⚠

  Not recording the weight immediately after measurement.

• ⚠

  Allowing the resident to step onto the scale unassisted if they are unsteady.

• ⚠

  Forgetting to remove shoes and heavy outerwear before weighing.