CNAs in a state where Pearson Vue is the test moderator will be tested on proper procedures for measuring and recording weight of an ambulatory patient. This is an important CNA skill that is going to be a common procedure to perform on a day to day basis when working with residents.
To learn all the necessary steps for this skill, please watch this CNA Skills Measure and Record Weight video for a complete demonstration of the skill of recording and measuring the weight of an ambulatory patient.
CNA Skill – Measure and Record Weight
The process for measuring and recording the weight of a patient during the CNA skills exam is as follows:
- Perform the standard CNA beginning tasks. Knock before entering the patient’s room, greet the patient by name, introduce yourself, explain the task you are about to perform, close the privacy curtain, and wash your hands. .
- Have the residents sit on the edge of the bed and put on their shoes before proceeding to the scale. After placing their shoes on, make sure their feet are flat on the floor. Have the resident proceed to the scale.
- It is critical that the scale is zeroed out before the resident steps on the scale
- To zero the scale, move the larger weight to zero and then the smaller weight to zero
- Stand next to the scale and assist the resident to step onto the scale
- Move the larger weight first into the proper groove within the 50 lb. increment.
- Next, move the smaller weight into the proper groove
- Once the weight on the side of scale is floating, you will have the proper weight.
- Stand next to the resident while having them step off the scale.
- Take the weight levels of the larger scale and the smaller scale to determine the weight of the patient by adding the amount of the two.
- Verbalize that you are washing your hands and then record the resident’s weight.
- For purposes of the CNA test, you must come within 2 pounds of what the evaluate determines the resident measured weight to be.
- Perform your standard completion tasks – wash your hands, ensure the patient has a clean environment, ask if they are comfortable, give them their call light and close their privacy curtain.
* Please be sure to consult the testing materials provided by the skills test provider in your state to ensure that these steps for CNA Skill Measure and Record Weight are in compliance. The procedure in different states and from different test providers can vary slightly and greatly affect your score.
