WEIGHING A PATIENT: ALTERNATIVE METHOD -- WHEELCHAIR SCALE

Course overview

Weight measurement is a key component of patient physical assessment, to assess growth and development, to identify whether the patient is over- or under-weight, and to guide clinical decision making and determine the patient’s overall level of health. Although the standing weight scale (i.e., a scale on which a patient stands to be weighed that includes three balance beam-type bars with attached weights) is the gold standard for weight measurement, patients who are nonambulatory or who cannot tolerate a sitting position must be weighed by other methods. This continuing education module is designed to give the reader/learner an increased understanding of how to perform weight measurement. Readers may explore any or all of the topics. One contact hour of continuing education credit is available for those who successfully complete the post-test and evaluation form.