If you’ve been to the doctor’s office recently, you probably noticed that the scale is very different from the one you have at home. A doctor’s office scale, known as a physician beam scale, is more accurate than home models. Though a nurse will likely take your weight when you visit the doctor, it’s still useful to know how to use a physician beam scale.
- Check for calibration: If the scale isn’t calibrated properly, you’ll get a false reading. When you’re not standing on the scale, it should read 0 pounds. To test this, position the large counter weight and small sliding weight all the way to the left. The arrow on the right of the beam should be perfectly balanced.
- Prepare to take your weight: Remove your shoes and any heavy outer clothing to give you a more accurate reading and step onto the scale.
- Determine a starting point: Start by sliding the large counter weight to a point close to but less than what you think you weigh. For example, if you know you weigh close to 135 pounds, slide the counter weight to 130 pounds to start.
- Adjust the small sliding weight: Gently slide the weight along the beam. The goal is to find the point at which the beam balances with the needle resting perfectly along the horizontal line. If you push the small weight all the way to the end without the needle budging, slide it back to the left and move the large counter weight up a notch.
- Determine your weight: Once the needle is balancing in a perfect horizontal line, you need to add the numbers together. For example, if the large counter weight is set to 130 pounds and the small sliding weight reads 8 pounds, you weigh 138 pounds. If you weigh more than the scale’s maximum capacity, you’ll need to find a different model to get an accurate measurement.
It’s not difficult to use a physician beam scale once you get the hang of it. For other medically related tips or to pick up your own scale, please contact MAR-J Medical Supply.
Image via Shutterstock.com
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