State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA) Practice Exam 2025 – Comprehensive All-in-One Prep for Exam Success!

Monitoring a resident's weight is primarily related to their nutrition and health. Weight can be a critical indicator of a resident's overall well-being. Changes in weight, whether loss or gain, can reflect changes in dietary intake, metabolic health, or the effectiveness of nutritional interventions.

For instance, unexpected weight loss could signify potential malnutrition, underlying illnesses, or psychological issues such as depression or loss of appetite. Conversely, significant weight gain might indicate fluid retention or an increase in dietary intake that could be damaging to the resident’s health.

By regularly checking weight, caregivers can gather essential information that helps tailor nutritional plans to support the resident’s specific needs, thereby promoting optimal health and preventing complications.

In contrast, while growth and development might be significant for younger individuals, in the context of elderly residents, these factors are not as relevant. Adjustment to the facility may relate to a resident's emotional and psychological state but does not provide direct insights into their physical health status. Likewise, while activity levels can influence weight, measuring activity is distinct from monitoring weight, which directly assesses nutritional intake and health.