Measuring and recording weight of an ambulatory resident: CNA skills test steps
Updated · Reviewed against official sources
Balance or zero the scale first, help the resident step on safely with shoes off (per policy), read the weight once the scale settles, help them off, and record the weight. Your reading must be within the tolerance in your candidate handbook.
Your state's nurse aide candidate handbook is the authority on exam format, skills lists and scoring. This page explains the general picture and links the official sources.
Steps
KEYmarks 6 steps that candidate handbooks commonly treat as critical. Missing a critical step usually fails the skill.
- 1Knock, introduce yourself by name and title, and greet the resident by name.
- 2Identify the resident (for example, check the name band or ask the resident to state their name) per facility policy.
- 3Explain the procedure in simple words and ask the resident to help as much as they are able.
- 4Key step: Provide privacy: close the door and pull the curtain.
- 5Key step: Perform hand hygiene before touching the resident.
- 6Key step: Make sure the scale is balanced or reads zero before the resident steps on.
- 7Have the resident wear nonskid footwear to walk to the scale; remove shoes if your facility weighs without them.
- 8Help the resident step onto the center of the platform, standing still without holding on to anything if able.
- 9Adjust the weights (or wait for the digital display to settle) and read the weight.
- 10Help the resident step off safely and put footwear back on.
- 11Key step: Record the weight accurately; it must be within the tolerance in your candidate handbook.
- 12Return the scale weights to zero.
- 13Key step: Place the call light and personal items within the resident's reach.
- 14Key step: Open the privacy curtain, perform hand hygiene, and report anything unusual to the nurse.
Common mistakes
- Not zeroing the scale first.
- Letting the resident lean on the scale or on you while being weighed.
- Reading the weight before the balance bar is level.
- Leaving the resident unsteady with no nonskid footwear.
Quick answers
- Why weigh at the same time each day?
- For accurate trends, residents are usually weighed at the same time of day, on the same scale, wearing similar clothing.
- What if the weight changed a lot since last time?
- Report a significant change to the nurse; it can signal fluid or nutrition problems.
What to do next
Skills and the written test are scored separately, and you must pass both. Check your written readiness in about 15 minutes.
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Sources
- 42 CFR 483.154 — Nurse aide competency evaluation (Cornell LII)
- Credentia — test-taker resources and state handbooks
Checked: . Rules, fees and vendors change — always confirm with your state's official page and candidate handbook.