Assessing Pulses and Taking Blood Pressure

Question 1

Where is the radial pulse?

Answer 1

start at thumb and move proximally

Question 2

Amplitude

Answer 2

the strength of the pulse

Question 3

Rhythm

Answer 3

regular
irregular

Question 4

rate

Answer 4

the number of pulses per unit time
multiply amount of seconds by 2 to get pulse rate

Question 5

brachial artery

Answer 5

medial aspect of inside of elbow
OR
proximally between the anterior and posterior compartments of the upper arm

Question 6

Carotid artery

Answer 6

Move laterally from Adams apple to sternocleidomastoid
OR
find angle of mandible and move inferior to level of Adams Apple

Question 7

Stethoscope

Answer 7

angled ear pieces

Question 8

Chest piece

Answer 8

Contains diaphragm and bill
diaphragm is used for blood pressure

Question 9

Blood pressure cuff (Sphygmomanometer)

Answer 9

markers on cuff indicate size
make sure vertical white bar falls within horizontal white bars
make sure enough room between the inside of elbow and top of the cuff to put stethoscope

Question 10

Systolic blood pressure

Answer 10

first clear sound

Question 11

Dystolic blood pressure

Answer 11

last sound heard

Question 12

How much to inflate cuff?

Answer 12

about 200 ml of mercury

Question 13

How much to release cuff?

Answer 13

about 3 ml of mercury per second