the nurse is unable to obtain a patient's weight and the patient states her weight, the nurse understands that:

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When a patient self-reports their weight, the nurse should document it as such. It is important to document the source of the weight measurement for accuracy and to avoid potential medical errors. Adding five pounds or assuming the self-reported weight is valid without documentation can lead to incorrect dosages of medications and incorrect treatment plans. Asking a patient's weight is a necessary part of healthcare assessment, and it is not impolite as long as it is done in a respectful and professional manner. The weight should be documented as self-reported since the nurse was unable to obtain an objective weight measurement. It is important to document the source of the weight measurement in the patient's record. Adding five pounds to self-reported weight is not a valid practice and may lead to inaccurate documentation of the patient's weight. However, it is important for nurses to verify the accuracy of self-reported weights whenever possible. Asking a patient's weight may be necessary for the patient's care and should not be considered impolite.

The Nurse Is Unable to Obtain a Patient's Weight and the Patient