Question

A patient’s measurement falls between two percentile lines on the growth chart. Which percentile number should be recorded?CMA SIM CHART

Answer 1

A patient's measurement that falls between two percentile lines on a growth chart should be recorded as either the closest percentile line or an estimated approximate percentile. Clinicians use their judgment and professional experience in such cases, and practices may vary by institution.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a patient's measurement falls between two percentile lines on a growth chart, a specific percentile number is not directly indicated. In this situation, it is appropriate to either choose the closest percentile line or to estimate the percentile that the measurement would approximate. Healthcare professionals often make a judgement call based on their experience and the specific context of the measurement. For example, if a child's height falls halfway between the 40th and 50th percentiles, a clinician might record it as the 45th percentile. Precise recording practices may vary by institution and should be consistent with their guidelines.

Answer 2

The lower reading or percentile should always be used. The higher percentile is only used when the value actually breaches the number required. This shows that, since the child hasn't yet reached the higher percentile value, they are actually not measuring at a greater value than those in the higher percentile.