Blood Pressure

Question 1

What is blood pressure?

Answer 1

The pressure of blood against the walls of arteries

Question 2

What is systolic and diastolic in relation to blood pressure?

Answer 2

Systolic - peak BP in artery after ventricular systole (contraction)
Diastolic - level arterial BP falls to during ventricular diastole (dilation)

Question 3

Name the illnesses associated with blood pressure

Answer 3

Hypertension - high BP >140/90 mmHg

Hypotension - low BP systolic <90 mmHg

Question 4

Why would we take a blood pressure?

Answer 4

Determine a baseline

Monitor fluctuations

Question 5

Describe the phases in blood pressure

Answer 5

Phase 1 - thud 
Phase 2 - blowing 
Ausculatory gap - sound disappears briefly 
Phase 3 - softer thud
Phase 4 - disappearing blowing 
Phase 5 - silence

Question 6

Talk through the procedure for taking a blood pressure

Answer 6

Check equipment - cleanliness/damage
Gain informed consent
Encourage to empty bladder
Record sitting, legs uncrossed
Wash hands
Upper arm supported, heart level, palm up
Identify the brachial artery
Apply cuff over brachial artery, 2-3cm above pulse point
Palpate radial pulse & inflate cuff till not felt
Deflate quickly
Place stethoscope on brachial pulse and inflate
Deflate 2-3mmHg per second
Take readings, deflate quickly and remove
Document findings as per NMC Code
Refer if abnormal as per NMC Code
Discuss findings
Clean equipment and wash hands