Pts refusing to weigh

[T-Bird78]

I work in a specialist office but what do you do in the hospital if a pt refuses to get on the scale? It's not as big a deal with us, although I get tired of pts asking why they need to be weighed when they're seeing us for a sinus infection, but if someone's coming into the ER couldn't weight be a factor? We can document "pt refused" for the weight, or "pt states she weighs 125 lbs" but at what point, if ever, is a pt made to get on the scale? Women tell us their weight and they're typically way off, either under (in denial) by 10 pounds or over-estimating by 15-20. I know they have the right to refuse, I can cover the numbers on the scale when they're on it, and I can even have their family member stay back where they can't see the scale, but it bugs me when they cop an attitude about it. Just wondering what you all think about it. No harsh comments or judgements. :)

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

"but at what point, if ever, is a pt made to get on the scale?" THAT point would be... never.

You are in the wrong place, if a patient "bugs" you. It's about the patient, not you.

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

I decline to weigh at the doctors office.I used to politely turn around and ask them to get the number and not say it.Without fail they would blurt it out even if I told them 30 seconds before not to say it.One day after I had a horrible fall and had a concussion they blurted out the weight and I burst into tears. I asked them how come they can't seem to remember my simple request and they said it was habit to shout it out......OK then if you can't remember something for 30 seconds then I am done trying to be cooperative.

[brownbook]

The more I obsess about what do I weigh, have I gained weight, am I getting fat, my pants are tight, am I just bloated or am I fat, etc, the more I over eat.

I don't have a weight problem, just the occasional up and downs. I close my eyes when I go to the doctors for routine check ups because of the above mentioned "obsessions". No one notices and no one has ever said out loud what my weight was.

When I occasionally weigh myself at home and I'm a few pounds over what I'd like to be, like Pavlov's dog I start craving Snickers!

[KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN]

When I occasionally weigh myself at home and I'm a few pounds over what I'd like to be, like Pavlov's dog I start craving Snickers!

I purposefully have a piece or two of clothes which are, while being really nice and which I found only after pretty long hunt, fit me well only if I gain or lose a little. I usually do not cross "overweight" zone but I have to take steroids and so my weight fluctuates one size +/- all the time doesn't matter what I do or don't do. But this way, in any case I have something to look splendid - and since I miss these clothes, I like them almost as if they were brand new.