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 2-2

Using a Bed Scale (Continued)

Comments

11. Once scale arms are hooked onto the sling, gradually
    elevate the sling so that the patient is lifted up off of the
    bed. Assess all tubes and drains, making sure that none
    have tension placed on them as the scale is lifted. Once
    the sling is no longer touching the bed, ensure that
    nothing else is hanging onto the sling (e.g., ventilator
    tubing, IV tubing). If any tubing is connected to the
    patient, raise it up so that it is not adding any weight to
    the patient.


12. Note weight reading on the scale. Slowly and gently, lower
    patient back onto the bed. Disconnect scale arms from
    sling. Close base of scale and pull it away from the bed.


13. Raise the side rail. Turn patient to the side rail. Roll the
    sling up against the patient’s backside.


14. Raise the other side rail. Roll patient back over the sling
    and up facing the other side rail. Remove sling from bed.
    Remove gloves, if used. Raise remaining side rail.


15. Cover the patient and help him or her to a position of
    comfort. Place the bed in the lowest position.


16. Remove disposable cover from sling and discard in appro-
    priate receptacle.


17. Remove additional PPE, if used. Perform hand hygiene.


18. Replace scale and sling in appropriate spot. Plug scale into
    electrical outlet.

ExcellentSatisfactoryNeeds Practice