When do you measure the height of a resident?

• A. Admission and Every Year
• B. Only at Admission
• C. Only Every Year
• D. Admission and Every Six Months

Answer: (A)

Height is measured to establish a baseline health measurement at the start of care and to monitor for gradual changes over time. You need that initial baseline at admission so you can track trends, calculate BMI, and ensure proper equipment sizing and safety. In adults, height doesn’t change much day to day, but conditions like osteoporosis or aging can shorten a person over time, so checking height at least annually helps catch significant changes. Measuring only at admission would miss future height loss, while more frequent checks (like every six months) aren’t typically necessary in routine CNA practice. So the best approach is to measure on admission and then about once a year, with any needed measurement sooner if a change is suspected.