Explain Why And When A Patient S Height And Weight Are Measured

Why is height and weight measured. Although not strictly vital signs a patients height weight and body mass index bmi can provide a nurse with important information about their overall health and physical condition. For a given height the bigger the bmi the heavier you are. Measuring bmi is an inexpensive method which can be used to assess if a clients body weight compared to their height is healthy or not. To determine if a person is overweight or underweight to provide necessary information in performing and evaluating certain laboratory tests used in calculating dosage for certain medications. Bmi the cons.

Bmi is also easy to calculate and the results are repeatable and consistent. Head circumference and height and weight measurements are crucial in monitoring a childs healthy development. Temperature must be measured by an axillary rectal tympanic or temporal method in the following situations. Numerical correlation between a patients height and weight. It can also be used to assess their weight as a risk factor for the development of diseases. While on the mat table participants were instructed to sit upright and hang their legs off the table edge.

A knee height caliper the shorr knee height caliper weigh and measure llc formerly shorr productions olney maryland was used for this measure. Also the quality department would have their eyes on you if you keep skipping assessments. Statisticians have done big population surveys of peoples bmis and produced tables and charts. Doctors keep track of a patients height and weight in order to be able to assess whether the patient has an appropriate weight for their height or may be overweight or underweight. Nice 2006 states that patients in hospital should have their body weight measured weekly and when there is clinical concern. Body mass index can then be calculated.

Your pediatrician will place your childs measurements on a chart that compares them. A patients weight is measured using a scale whilst their height is measured using a platform ruler or tape measure. Its the persons weight in kilos divided by the square of their height in metres. They have labelled various bmi ranges as healthy underweight overweight and so on. Multiply weight in lbs by 703. In our facility if you are unable to check the height and weight of the patient you also have to document why you have not taken them.

In the community weight should be assessed if it is relevant to the purpose of the visit for example when patients are receiving nutritional support or weight management reviews. The reason focused assessments dont work for them unless you really have a good reason not to take the height and.