Blood Pressure

Question 1

What is BP?

Answer 1

The force exerted by the blood against the walls of the arteries.

Question 2

How is BP represented?

Answer 2

Systolic/ diastolic pressure.

Systolic - peak pressure during contraction of the heart

Diastolic - Minimum pressure during relaxation of the heart

Question 3

Methods of measurement

Answer 3

Sphygmomanometer - used in conjuction with auscultation over the brachial artery to determine presence of Korotkoff sounds
Automated blood pressure machine - uses a microphone to detect Korotkoff sounds and provides a digital display

Question 4

Normal ranges adult

Answer 4

Systolic - 95-140
Diastolic 60-90

Hypertension - 140/90
hypotension 90/60
postural hypotension - fall in bp when moving

Question 5

Why is BP important to physio

Answer 5

Important when assessing CVS stability

Important part of patient assessment when standing, mobilizing and prescribing exercise

Assessment of BP should be in context of whats normal for the patient

Question 6

What is an Arterial line

Answer 6

used if rapid alteration in BP - provides continuous readings through a monitor.

advantage for repeated ABG and administering specific drug types.

Common insertion sites - radial and femoral arteries

Question 7

Risk of invasive BP measurements (5)

Answer 7

sepsis
coagulopathy 
disconnection 
positioning of transducer 
positioning of the patients wrists

Question 8

Issues with non-invasive BP measurements

Answer 8

inaccurate if patients has irregularities in heart (atrial fib)

Provides a snapshot