Do I Have the Right NOT to Be Weighed?

Nurses General Nursing

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i think i might have to call the office manager. i think i'd have to say something like: "i very much like being a client of dr. xyz at this office, and appreciate the care i have received. however, as dr. xyz's client, i chose not to not adhere to this request of weigh ins because i have an eating disorder and i find weigh ins distressing. could you please note this on my chart so there isn't confusion regarding weigh ins at future visits."

this would telegraph to the office manager that you do appreciate the office and that you are cordial. by using the lingo of the day, client and adhere, rather than 'patient' and 'comply', you are reminding them of your ownership of your own darn body and right to decline. i think it's a gentle nudge to use the lingo that is associated with the shift in medicine to recognizing patient autonomy.

oh this whole thing just makes me mad.

this is just what i was looking for. maybe these words will work for us.

my 16 y/o 'fiancees daughter' went to the gyn ( 1st visit)not long ago, and suddenly we were knee deep into a an relapse. we had no idea what triggered it. she was tightlipped, and then quick as it started, we find out the ma ignored her dads instructions ( per the orders from the inpatient tx drs. she was under for months) ( and as 'just a fiancee' i, even as a nurse don't count grrr...) not to weigh her, as it truly wasn't relative to the exam. they blatantly ignored instructions from him and don't see that they made a poor judgement related to her care. it's a struggle every day, for her and us. no amount of research i've done can bring me close to understanding the reality she lives in, but i understand the guidelines from her tx, and scales are a no-no. unless specific situations call for it. then it must be backwards and kept secret from her.

congratulations on your success meerkat, keep up the good work.:icon_hug:

bethin

1,927 Posts

I think some people are forgetting patient rights. The pt has the right to refuse if they are aware of the risks, which I'm sure the OP does. It isn't a check up for a nutrition appt, she isn't suffering from CHF, etc. I would think the tech and doctor would be more worried about her periods than her weight. Yes, weight is important but is getting her weight soooooo important for this gyn exam that it should risk sending her out of recovery? Put yourself in the tech's place: you push Meerkat to get weighed and two weeks later you find out she's in the hospital because of her dramatic weight loss. How would that make you feel? I can say that would make me feel pretty bad and I would feel guilty that I hurt someone.

Recovering alcoholics don't go to bars because they know that their nemesis is there. Maybe some anorexics/bulemics shouldn't get weighed because the scale is the nemesis. If she says she's not ready, she's not ready. We shouldn't push people. Meerkat will get over this hurdle when she's ready.

Altered

79 Posts

Do we have to be weighed during the nursing program? You know, for practice or something?

jolleygirl

46 Posts

Specializes in 27 yrs in long term care, 5 yrs office.

I have had pts refuse to get weighed and that is the end of the issue, but I do think it can be a necessary part of the medical history. I can't imagine the Dr not seeing you just for refusing to get weighed.

I have seen pts insist that say they can not eat/vomit everytime they eat, etc. yet weight may be stable or up. I would think this might indicate a need for further testing, or pts who say they eat well yet continue with unexplained weight loss, also had a pt refuse to get weighed, she told me her "current weight" and the NP asked her to get on the scale and found it was considerable different.

I have had pts get on scale backwards or close there eyes for the weight as well.

Also as some one mentioned medication dosage can be based on weight.

pagandeva2000, LPN

7,984 Posts

Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I know this is an old thread, however, I think that sensitivity is in order here. Most times, I see CNAs or even nurses weigh people in groups (meaning that there are other people in the room) and then shouting out the weight.."300 pounds...WOW...what are you doing???" and that is total disrespect. I am not an overweight person, but, that offends me.

Whenever I weighed someone (especially someone who is obese), I always had the door shut, and I asked if they wanted to know (most did) and I told them silently, or let them see what I wrote on the documentation.

Weight is an important assessment piece; we need to know if the patient is retaining fluid, and if so, how to treat. But, it can be done with dignity and respect.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN

102 Articles; 27,612 Posts

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

While this issue remains extremely significant in this day and age, please be cognizant that this discussion is nearly 2 years old. Therefore, any advice bestowed upon the original poster might be arriving entirely too late.

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