How did Abby measure of the weight of the measles boy?

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Dear Medically Minded,

I just saw the "Walk in the Woods" episode again. How did Abby measure the weight of the boy with measles? She pulled out something that look almost like measuring tape and then she knew his weight. I would appreciate an explanation. Thanks.

-- violet (violet@pon.net), February 18, 2001

Answers

It is a measuring tape. Cleo was shown using it in "Flights of Fancy." It gives an estimated weight for the child based on the height. If you look at the tape they were using, it has blocks of different colors with numbers in the blocks. Abby said, "Blue zone, 20 kilos." I think Cleo mentioned the name for the tape, but I can't recall it now.

-- Melinda (mross@value.net), February 18, 2001.

There are a number of gizmos designed to measure the weight of sick or injured children patients. As far as I know the most common is the Broselow tape, which is probably what was used in ER. It estimates the weight of the child based on their height, and also provides quick-references for appropriate drug doses (for common pediatric drugs) based on that weight.

-- Lynn (lynn@wordsmyth.org), February 18, 2001.

Lynn and Marilyn,

Thanks for responding. Is it more than just height? Do you also calculate the "width" of the child?

Violet

-- violet (violet@pon.net), February 18, 2001.


No, as far as I know it's just the length.

-- Lynn (lynn@wordsmyth.org), February 19, 2001.

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