Why is locking the wheelchair brakes important during weighing?

• A. To prevent the wheelchair from moving while the resident is on the scale
• B. To keep the wheels from rolling toward the scale
• C. To ensure the resident can push the chair
• D. To allow the chair to tilt

Answer: (A)

When weighing a resident in a wheelchair, the chair must be immobilized so the scale reads the resident’s weight, not the chair’s movement. Locking the brakes keeps the chair from sliding or rolling while the resident sits on the scale, which ensures the measurement is accurate and reduces the risk of the chair shifting off balance or tipping. Pushing the chair or allowing tilt would introduce movement that skews the reading and could be unsafe, so those outcomes aren’t the goal of locking the brakes.