Chapter 6 Flashcards
how should the patient be positioned for a doppler segmental pressures upper?
supine with arms relaxed at the patients side
cuffs should be snug, but not tight
what cuff size should be placed on the upper arm?
12x40
what cuff size should be placed on the forearm?
10x40
which artery is obtained with upper arm BP?
brachial artery
which artery is obtained with forearm BP?
radial and ulnar
which test is used to evaluate the patency of the palmar arch?
allens test
what is the technique used with allens test?
the technologist manually compresses the radial artery, patient clenches ipsilateral fist (<1min) inducing pallor
with manual compression of the radial artery continuing, the patient is asked to relax the hand
what is the peripheral resistance in digits while the hand is clenched?
high resistance
what is considered normal for the allens test?
reappearance of the normal color to indicate the ulnar artery is providing flow to the palmar arch
what is considered abnormal for the allens test?
color does not reappear to indicate an ulnar artery convulsion or palmar arch obstruction
what are some limitations of the allens test?
excessive dorsiflexion of wrist may compress radial and ulnar arteries leading to a false positive test
if hand is open, fingers forcibly extended; the skin over palm can be stretched (this could leave to pallor due to compression of small vessels)
how should you document allens test?
PPG before and after clenched fist
T/F similar test (ALLEN) can be done to evaluate the ulnar artery?
true
what mmHg difference between brachial pressures is considered abnormal?
15-20mmHg
an 15-20 mmHg between brachial suggest what kind of stenosis?
> 50% of subclavian artery and/ or vessel under the cuff
