Blood Pressure

Question 1

Go

Answer 1

Disconnect tubing and squeeze out excess air

Ensure dial is at 0

Arm spported to level of the heart

Inflate cuff whilst palpating the brachial artery - note the pressure where you can no longer feel the brachial pulse (estimated systolic pressre)

Re-inflate cuff to 30mmHg greater than estimated systolic blood pressure

Onset of beats represents the systolic blood pressure

Sounds disappearing = diastolic pressure

Question 2

What difference in blood pressure is considered normal between arms?

Answer 2

10 mmHg

Question 3

What are contraindications to blood pressure measrement?

Answer 3

Presence of AV fistula

Lymphedema or patient at risk of lymphedema

Question 4

Why estimate blood pressure?

Answer 4

To prevent under-estimation of blood pressure as a result of auscltatory gap.

Auscultatory gap is due to athersclerosis of carotid arteries, arterial stiffeneing and venous congestion of the limb