Do I Have the Right NOT to Be Weighed?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi everyone...

Was at the doctor for a routine gyn recently and of course the tech was doing all the pre-lims like BP and stuff. She wanted me to get on the scale, which I always defer when I've been to the doctor before. (I see a doctor 'group', so whoever I get on that day is who's there. No particular 'primary'). I politely deferred the weight and the tech told me the doctor would not see me unless I got on the scale. What's that about?!

The reason I don't get on the scale is that I am in recovery from an eating disorder, and the scale is one of my triggers. It's so upsetting to me that just the act of stepping on it can screw up my whole day. I've tried standing bakwards on it, not looking at the numbers, etc, but the simple ACT is terribly upsetting. I know this is my issue, not theirs, but I am well within my appropriate weight range and I don't know why I MUST be weighed.

Everytime I go there, I have to re-explain all over again why I don't get on the scale. Some are understanding, some are not.

It's not like I was at the doc for a weight related issue...Can I refuse and still get treated?

Being weighed during an acute illness is one thing, very necessary, but for a routine visit....I don't see why it can't be refused. I have, when I just haven't felt like it.

Specializes in ICU, ER, HH, NICU, now FNP.

The thing is - I have no way to predict that 6 mos from now your weight won't be important. What if weight loss were the only sign of cancer you had and we hadn't weighed you? What if the fact that there was no weight trended meant that we delayed a diagnosis or treatment? It's just one of the things that helps to put all of the pieces together - and it really does matter more than you think it does.

Routine weights may be even more important than weights during acute illness.

Sure you have the right to refuse - just like any patient has the right to refuse anything they don't want.

Specializes in Cardiac.
I don't think that was out of line...she said she was in recovery from an eating disorder. Eating disorders are psychological disorders. If she is in recovery, part of recovery is returning to a normal life.

She said she was in recovery-not recovered. I have a feeling that this will always cause anxiety. No need for a set back because the tech/MA needed to fill in all the lines on the paperwork.

If a Dr can't eyeball a pt and tell if they have an appropriate weight for their height, then they aren't a very good Dr.

It's certainly not life threatening to get this weight-especially during a Gyn visit!

Specializes in Ortho,Rehab,Pain Mgt. and Plastics.

I say if you do not want to be weighed, do not do it. I would have told that medical assistant you would discuss the matter with your doc. She probably

has sent patients into the exam room with missing info before so she was just covering her backside... you know that problem will go away with electronic records. All the repetitive BS will go away. If you had seen a doc earlier that day and was weighed, then they can go into the record and retreive the VS and everything else they need and not have to ask you for it again. It will speed up things considerably. :yelclap:

Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.
Come on, there are ways of knowing besides the numbers on the scale whether or not my weight is appropriate. Clothing size being one. I'm 5'5" and wear either a 6 or an 8 in jeans, depending on the brand. That gives a decent estimation is where my weight is, without focusing on the numbers of the scale.

Sorry, while you have the right not to be weighed, I think that the MD has also got to have the right not to treat you, due to legal issues if they are so inclined.

Height and jeans size do not mean a hill of beans when it comes to nutritional status, and accurate assessment of a patient's health. There are many drugs/meds that MUST have an accurate weight to titrate them safely. I have also personally known size 4s that are 5'5"s that are muscular and weigh 160, and others that weigh 110. For an MD to guesstimate can be very dangerous to your health and life. Especially given a history of an eating disorder. Potential alterations in electrolytes from this issue could also adversely affect how drugs work in the system (think Terri Schiavo's potassium imbalance and the family suing/winning a settlement, on lack of assessment - I believe it was her gyn that got sued, but could be wrong).

As an onco/hemo nurse - my patients have to be weighed every visit, or in the hospital, once or twice per day. We use both weight/height to determine BSA. We also have to determine "dry" weight and ideal body weight to calculate dosing. A few pounds difference, change in electrolyte status, and fluid retention, may make a big difference in toxicity, and mean life or death.

No one likes to be weighed, but given the current legal climate and toxicity of many common medicines, one has to understand the need for this basic assessment. It is not "blackmail" for a MD to require this, given that they can potentially be charged with negligence, if they prescribe meds and something goes wrong. By the same token, you are perfectly free to find an MD that permits this.

Your best bet is to have one regular MD, not a group. I see an Internist for my gyn and medical needs.

(I personally have an male MD that deferred PAPs to a female practitioner in his office - I had "issues" for several years with not wanting a PAP from a male - I have since gotten over my "issues" and he has garnered my trust.)

You have a right to do anything you want and it has to be respected by law if you are an adult and of sane mind. It falls under the act of refusal of treatment. As long as the person doing the treatment informs you of the risks for not doing the treatment (weighing in this case) all she has to do is document this in your chart.

Specializes in ICU, ER, HH, NICU, now FNP.
Sorry, while you have the right not to be weighed, I think that the MD has also got to have the right not to treat you, due to legal issues if they are so inclined.

Height and jeans size do not mean a hill of beans when it comes to nutritional status, and accurate assessment of a patient's health. There are many drugs/meds that MUST have an accurate weight to titrate them safely. I have also personally known size 4s that are 5'5"s that are muscular and weigh 160, and others that weigh 110. For an MD to guesstimate can be very dangerous to your health and life. Especially given a history of an eating disorder. Potential alterations in electrolytes from this issue could also adversely affect how drugs work in the system (think Terri Schiavo's potassium imbalance and the family suing/winning a settlement, on lack of assessment - I believe it was her gyn that got sued, but could be wrong).

As an onco/hemo nurse - my patients have to be weighed every visit, or in the hospital, once or twice per day. We use both weight/height to determine BSA. We also have to determine "dry" weight and ideal body weight to calculate dosing. A few pounds difference, change in electrolyte status, and fluid retention, may make a big difference in toxicity, and mean life or death.

No one likes to be weighed, but given the current legal climate and toxicity of many common medicines, one has to understand the need for this basic assessment. It is not "blackmail" for a MD to require this, given that they can potentially be charged with negligence, if they prescribe meds and something goes wrong. By the same token, you are perfectly free to find an MD that permits this.

Your best bet is to have one regular MD, not a group. I see an Internist for my gyn and medical needs.

(I personally have an male MD that deferred PAPs to a female practitioner in his office - I had "issues" for several years with not wanting a PAP from a male - I have since gotten over my "issues" and he has garnered my trust.)

A patient CAN be discharged from a practice for refusal to comply with treatment.

So yes you have the right to refuse to be weighed, but the provider also has the right to decline to be your provider.

I agree - eyeball weights don't cut it.

Specializes in Internal Med. / Family Practice.

I would have no idea what that office's policies are... but as far as I know a pt has the right to refuse ANYTHING, but there may be conciquences.

I personaly let a Pt refuse & note it, Then If the Dr wants the wieght, They can discuss it w/ them.

Wow.....I can't beleive this has been discussed for 6 pages. The op mentioned that this was a routine gyne check up. Eyeballing her build and wt would seem to be enough. Now if she was in for a sick visit, med check follow up etc, then yeah maybe a wt would be needed.

We all have the right to refuse tx, tests etc. As long as the pro's and con's are spelled out...it should be okay.

Someone metioned...recovery vs in recovery. As far as I understand...no one is ever fully recovered from eating disorders, addictions etc. It is a daily struggle. Some days easier than others. It kills me to hear of alcoholics who say they are recovered. Being recovered means that there is never a chance of it happening agiain or a relapse. Not true.

To the op...keep up your good work.

Specializes in Looking for a career in NICU.
She said she was in recovery-not recovered. I have a feeling that this will always cause anxiety. No need for a set back because the tech/MA needed to fill in all the lines on the paperwork.

If a Dr can't eyeball a pt and tell if they have an appropriate weight for their height, then they aren't a very good Dr.

It's certainly not life threatening to get this weight-especially during a Gyn visit!

I totally agree with you. That was why I suggested that having the conversation about her weight with the MA every time she goes into see the doctor, could be adding to the anxiety. If it were me, I wouldn't want to repeat the story of why every time I went in. She shouldn't have to, they should note that on her chart.

Specializes in CT ,ICU,CCU,Tele,ED,Hospice.

i would refuse.that is your right.if the dr dismisses you i would just find another dr .end of story .and i would see the same dr each time so i only had to explain myself once and it could be on the chart .

Specializes in Education, Acute, Med/Surg, Tele, etc.

You certainly have the right to decline as long as you know the consequences of declining as you seem to! It is informed concent actually even though it is a declination...like informed declination.

As long as you know the risks of not doing it, you have the right!

This is where the but, or however comes in now..LOL! (isn't their always one?). Okay...a MD if they wish to prove a point or really want that weight also has a right to declare you as declining appropriate treatments or assessment and decline treating you or declairing you as AMA (against medical advice) and your insurance will NOT pay. That can be a sticky situation, so find a MD that is understanding of this and will see and treat you regardless. :)

Keep up the faith on staying healthy girl! I really appreciate that you know what your triggers are, and avoiding them! You know yourself...and that is a very wonderful and GOOD thing! Kudos to you!!!!!!!! I wouldn't weigh you there, but try to find other alternatives to finding out your weight if needed...and would be there for you 100% as a team player for your health!

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