WEIGHT MEASUREMENT, INFANT,

AMBULATORY CARE

Prepared by: Rami Mchawrab ,Clinical Educator.

 OUTLINE

I. Introduction.
II. Equipment.
III. Preparation of Equipment.
IV. Clinical alert
V. Implementation.
VI. Completing the procedure.
VII. Special Considerations.
VIII. Documentation
IX. References.
 OBJECTIVES

At the end of the presentation, the learner will be able to:

I. Take infant weight.
II. Know the equipment needed to measure infant weight.
III. Know how to prepare the equipment.
IV. Know how to document the weight.

3
 INTRODUCTION
• As part of a routine well-child visit, an infant's weight should be measured to
assess the infant's growth. These measurements help determine whether an
infant's growth is appropriate, slower than expected, or accelerated.
 INTRODUCTION
• Staff members should use a high-quality beam balance or electronic scale with
a tray that's large enough to support the infant. The scale should be ab
• le to weigh an infant of up to 20 kg in 0.01-kg or 10-g increments. Nonetheless,
it is important to check the manufacturer's listed weight capacity and
calibration requirements and to adhere to these recommendations.
 INTRODUCTION
• The scale must be easy to calibrate and set to the 0 position without any weight
on it. The person weighing the infant should be able to read the weight value at
eye level and the scale shouldn't have a length measurement device attached to
it.
• An infant should be weighed without clothes or a diaper; if an infant must wear
some article of clothing or a device such as a prosthesis, this should be noted
when the infant's weight is recorded. An infant's weight should be measured
and recorded at every practitioner visit.
 EQUIPMENT

Infant scale Paper drape to cover the scale

 EQUIPMENT

Facility-approved disinfectant Diaper

 PREPARATION OF EQUIPMENT

• Ensure that the infant scale is in working condition and is calibrated properly. Instruments need
to be calibrated regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions.
 CLINICAL ALERT

• Never turn your back on an infant positioned on a scale to maintain the infant's
safety and help prevent the risk of injury from falling.
ICE BREAK
 IMPLEMENTATION
• Ensure that the room temperature is comfortable for an undressed infant.
•
• Perform hand hygiene.

• Confirm the infant's identity using at least two patient identifiers.

• Explain the procedure to the infant's parents or guardians according to their individual
communication and learning needs to increase their understanding, allay their fears, and
enhance cooperation.

• Place a light drape or paper liner on the scale tray (as shown below) to provide comfort
and help prevent the spread of microorganisms.
 COMPLETING THE PROCEDURE.

• Perform hand hygiene.

• Document the procedure.
 SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

• If an infant scale isn't available or if an infant is very

fearful or active, instruct the infant's parent or guardian to
hold the infant while standing on a standing scale and
weigh them both. Then weigh that person alone. Calculate
the infant's weight by subtracting the weight of the infant's
parent or guardian from the combined weight of the parent
or guardian and the infant.18
• •When precise measurements are necessary, arrange for
another nurse to weigh the infant independently and then
compare the results. If there's a discrepancy, the infant
should be weighed a third time.725
 DOCUMENTATION

• Record the infant's exact chronologic age in months or weeks (for example, 2 months or 13
weeks).
• Enter the infant's weight on the infant's growth chart and related records specific to your facility.
• Track the infant's growth parameters on standardized growth charts.
• Document teaching provided to the parents or guardians, their understanding of that teaching,
and any need for follow-up teaching.
 REFERENCES

• Lippincott