Measure and Record Weight of Ambulatory Client Question Help PLZ

[naide88]

Here are the steps for this skill:

Measure and Record weight of ambulatory client

Steps:

1. Explain procedure

2. Start with scale balanced at zero

3. Assist client to step onto center of scale

4. Determine client's weight

5. Assist client off scale

6. Record weight within plus or minus 2 lbs of evaluator's reading

7. Call light is within reach

8. Wash hands

My question to you is....do I need to escort the client back to the bed and let them lay down for the exam? In the booklet it just says you gotta assist them off the scale and then give them the call light. Can I just make them stand by the bed and put the call light in their hand?

Having them lay down would take 30 seconds off my time but I guess I can tell them to lay down while Im writing the results because the next skill will probrably involve them on the bed anyway.

The reason I'm so concerned with the time is because I failed the last CNA skills test due to running out of time (see my other board).

[coltsgrl]

I think if the patient is ambulatory and not confused, you could say Mr. X, here is your call light, and if you would like to go ahead and lie down, I'll record your measurements and be right back to .... I believe that should only take a few seconds of your time and you should be good. but....how do you know you will get that skill? be sure to know them all :) and here's wishin you the best of luck!!!

:clpty:

[naide88]

I don't know if I will get this skill or not. I was going over the booklet and was just wondering.

[casi, ASN, RN]

Your skill is just weighing, so you can have them just sit back on the side of the bed, or a chair and hand them their call-light.

Keep it short and simple, your tester is just looking for the above, nothing that goes beyond that.

[naide88]

I also have another question...in all the skills it says you need to leave the bed in low position. BUT it never says you need to raise the bed up. If I neglect raising the bed up on the skills, but I do press the button to show that I'm lowering it, will I still get counted off?

The last time I took the exam, the beds went up and down so slowly! It takes like 20 seconds to raise the bed. I even asked my tester what she does and she said all she does is fill in bubbles whether or not I did the steps.

[FutureNurse23]

I had this skill on my exam and the examiner had my pt in a wheelchair. So I acted like I knocked on the door, washed hands, explained procedure. Then I just made sure the brakes was locked on the wheelchair before assisting the pt to the scale then followed each step afterwards. This including making sure the scale was on zero, recording the weight while the pt was on the scale. Then assisting them with ambulatory back to the wheelchair saying out loud do you feel the back of the wc dont sit until you feel it on the back of your leg.

I would say if they are in a bed though you could assist them out the bed. Then make sure they have on slippers and then do each step. Allowing them to take their slippers off before getting on the scale, ect. You will do fine don't worry! We are cheering for ya!

[FutureNurse23]

This is for your other question about raising the bed. You dont even have to raise the bed really. Raising the bed is for you to not put pressure on your back. After you work not raising the bed it will come to you naturally that you should raise it. This is the reason why they tell you to raise the bed. Now when it comes to feeding the pt in bed or assisting with a bed pan you do need to raise the head of the bed 90 angle for feeding and a bit for a pt after feeding so they will be able to digest completely along with results of future aspirations,ect. BUT if you are to raise the bed for a precedure you must lower the bed. This is for the case of a pt being independent and decides they want to walk to the bathroom and then they try getting out the bed and happen to fall. So lowering the bed after every precedure lessens the risk of a pt having a fall. It also is a way to say okay the precedure is now complete. And you will always make sure the call light is in the pt's reach. On the state exam though you can verbalize I would raise the bed but then don't forget they will expect you to say I lowered the bed as well. Hope this helped you!