Skill Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills: A Nursing Process Approach

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Copyright © 2011 by Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Skill Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills:

Skill Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills:
A Nursing Process Approach, 3rd edition

Name Date

Unit Position

Instructor/Evaluator: Position

SKILL 2-2

Using a Bed Scale

Goal: The patient’s weight is assessed accurately, without

injury, and the patient experiences minimal discomfort. Comments

1. Check medical order or nursing care plan for frequency of
   weight measurement. More frequent pulse measurement
   may be appropriate based on nursing judgment. Obtain
   the assistance of a second caregiver, based on patient’s
   mobility and ability to cooperate with procedure.


2. Perform hand hygiene and put on PPE, if indicated.


3. Identify the patient.


4. Close curtains around bed and close door to room if possi-
   ble. Discuss procedure with patient and assess patient’s
   ability to assist with the procedure.


5. Place a cover over the sling of the bed scale.


6. Attach the sling to the bed scale. Lay the sheet or bath
   blanket in the sling. Turn the scale on. Adjust the dial so
   that weight reads 0.0.


7. Adjust bed to comfortable working position, usually elbow
   height of the caregiver (VISN 8, 2009). Position one care-
   giver on each side of the bed, if two caregivers are present.
   Raise side rail on the opposite side of the bed from where
   the scale is located, if not already in place. Cover the
   patient with the sheet or bath blanket. Remove other
   covers and any pillows.


8. Turn patient onto his or her side facing the side rail, keeping
   his or her body covered with the sheet or blanket. Remove
   the sling from the scale. Roll sling long ways. Place rolled
   sling under patient, making sure the patient is centered in
   the sling.


9. Roll patient back over sling and onto other side. Pull sling
   through, as if placing sheet under patient, unrolling sling
   as it is pulled through.


10. Roll scale over the bed so that arms of scale are directly
    over patient. Spread the base of the scale.Lower arms of
    the scale and place arm hooks into holes on the sling.

ExcellentSatisfactoryNeeds Practice