Blood Pressure

Question 1

What is the purpose of this technique? What are you measuring? Why?

Answer 1

To measure blood pressure which is the amount of pressure exerted on the walls of the arteries as the blood moves through them. It is composed of two measurements, systolic (pressure in the arteries when the heart beats) and diastolic (pressure in the arteries between heart beats)
Why?: screen for hypertension, suitability for a sport or certain occupations, estimating cardiovascular risk.

Question 2

How do you know whether the measurement is normal

Answer 2

Compare to a chart and previous records

Question 3

What principles are used in carrying out the technique?

Answer 3

30 mins prior to test avoid:
Caffeine
Smoking
Exercising

Patients legs uncrossed

Elbow should be level with heart, slightly bent and supported.

Question 4

What is the ideal blood pressure?

Answer 4

120/80 - 90/60

Question 5

Contraindications

Answer 5

None

Question 6

Precautions

Answer 6

Acute disorders affecting test performance such as nausea and vomiting
Open wounds or skin irritation
Lymphoedema

Question 7

How do you perform the blood pressure test?

Answer 7

1. Patient in relaxed position, elbow slightly bent and supported in line with heart.
2. Wrap cuff around arm with cuffs lower edge 2cm above anticubital fossa. Attach snugly.
3. Ensure stethoscope is over brachial artery and place in ears
4. Close the valve on the bulb and rapidly inflate the cuff to <150mmHg
5. Open the valve approx 1 turn to release air.
6. Listen with stethoscope and simultaneously observe the manometer.
7. The first knocking sound is the subjects systolic pressure. When this sound disappears that is the diastolic pressure.
8. Repeat 2 times waiting at least 30 sec between measurements.