What should be done to the scale before weighing the resident?

What should be done to the scale before weighing the resident?

• A. Balance/zero out scale before weighing resident
• B. Lock wheelchair brakes
• C. Assist resident to stand
• D. Read weight and record

Answer: (A)

Zeroing the scale before weighing ensures the measurement reflects only the resident’s weight. When the scale is balanced to zero with no load, any previous weight, tare, or drift is removed, so the reading you get is the resident’s true mass. If you skip this step, the result can be biased high or low, leading to an inaccurate weight. After the scale is zeroed, you can have the resident stand or be supported as needed to obtain the correct measurement, then read and record it. Safety steps like ensuring the brakes are applied or assisting the resident to stand are important, but they come after you’ve prepared the scale with a zero reading.

Zeroing the scale before weighing ensures the measurement reflects only the resident’s weight. When the scale is balanced to zero with no load, any previous weight, tare, or drift is removed, so the reading you get is the resident’s true mass. If you skip this step, the result can be biased high or low, leading to an inaccurate weight. After the scale is zeroed, you can have the resident stand or be supported as needed to obtain the correct measurement, then read and record it. Safety steps like ensuring the brakes are applied or assisting the resident to stand are important, but they come after you’ve prepared the scale with a zero reading.