Height and Weight Ht & Wt

Height and Weight Used to determine whether a pt is over/underweight Either of these can indicate a dz Height/weight charts are averages- ** A 10% deviation is considered normal** Performed routinely with hospital admission, general physical exam, long term care facility

Infants Measure Ht, wt, head circumference, chest circumference Why? Growth is rapid Measurements are recorded on a National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) growth graph-- allows MD to compare growth to average percentiles of other children the same age Abnormal growth could indicate nutritional deficiencies or genetic diseases

Head circumference – Brain development – Any head circumference that measures above the 95 th percentile usually indicates hydrocephalus (fluid around the brain> leads to intracranial pressure> brain damage) – May be caused by abnormal development of ventricles, bacterial meningitis, tumors

Microencephaly (small brain) – Can lead to mental retardation – Can be caused by congenital defect, infections during pregnancy, premature closure of fontanels, drug/alcohol abuse during pregnancy (fetal alcohol syndrome), genetic defects

Chest circumference – Overdevelopment/underdevelopment of the heart/lungs – From birth to 1 year > head circumference is usually greater than chest circumference – 1-2 years- equal (Chest circumference is also measured in adults with COPD to measure dz progression)

Frequent weights are usually done with pt’s with hormone disorders (DM, thyroid) digestive disorders, HTN, fluid retention, cancer pt’s

Daily Weights Pt’s with edema d/t heart and kidney disease Remember these points with daily weights – Use same scale each day – Balance scale before weighing pt – Weigh pt at the same time each day (if possible before food/liquids have been consumed) – Pt needs to be wearing same amount of clothing each day – Ask pt to void to empty the bladder

Weight is recorded as pounds and ounces or as kilograms. To convert kilograms to pounds: kg x 2.2= lbs To convert pounds to kilograms: lbs divided by 2.2= kg

Procedure for Measuring Weight Prepare scale- Move both weights to zero position; Scale will be balanced if the end of the balance bar swings freely between the upper and lower guides Have pt remove shoes, jackets, purses, heavy objects in pockets Assist pt onto scale- Pt should stand unassisted, with feet in center of platform and slightly apart *Watch pt to prevent falls* Help pt off scale Weight is recorded as pounds and ounces or as kilograms ** If an adult pt cannot stand on scale– USE a bed or wheelchair scale

Procedure for Measuring Height Have pt stand on scale with BACK to the scale Pt should stand as erect as possible; look straight ahead to keep head level Move the measuring bar down until it touches top of pt’s head Read the measurement in inches or centimeters (can convert to feet and inches) Help pt off scale; watch closely to prevent falls

Measuring weight for infant Prepare scale- place a towel or scale paper on scale to protect infant from shock of cold metal and pathogens Balance the scale- balance bar should swing freely Parent undress infant- sometimes an undershirt is left on infant- ?diaper? Place infant on scale *Keep one hand on infant while adjusting the scales* Make sure you are not touching the infant when you are reading weight

Measuring Height for infant Place infant on flat surface- keep one hand on infant and use other hand to reach Place the zero mark of the measuring tape/bar at the infant’s head; Straighten the infant’s leg/legs and measure to the heel If infant is lying on examination table paper- mark the paper at the infant’s head and heel- then measure the marked area

Measuring Head Circumference on infant Hold the zero mark of the tape measure against the infant’s forehead just above the eyebrows Bring tape measure around the infant’s head- just above the ears, over the occipital bone at the back of the head, and back to forehead to meet the zero mark Pull tape snug to compress the hair, but not too tight

Measuring Chest Circumference on infant Lay infant flat on back Hold zero mark of the tape at the middle of sternum; wrap tape measure under axillary area around to meet Tape should be at nipple level of chest Read measurement after infant exhales or between respirations