Blood Pressure

Question 1

What is blood pressure?

Answer 1

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

Question 2

What are the 2 types of blood pressures?

Answer 2

Systolic - peak pressure during heart contraction

Diastolic - minimum pressure during relaxation of the heart

Question 3

How does an automated blood pressure machine work?

Answer 3

Uses microphone to detect Korotkoff sounds

Question 4

What classifies someone in having hypertension and hypotension?

Answer 4

Hypertension - >140/90mmHg

Hypotension - <90/60mmHg

Question 5

What is postural hypotension?

Answer 5

Fall in blood pressure when moving from lying to sitting

Question 6

Name an invasive way of measuring blood pressure

Answer 6

Arterial line

Question 7

What are the common sites of insertion for an arterial line?

Answer 7

Radial and femoral arteries

Question 8

Why is it important to measure blood pressure for physiotherapy?

Answer 8

Assess cardiovascular stability in critically ill patients

Assess when patient is in standing, mobilising and prescribing exercise

See if the patient is safe to mobilise

Question 9

Explain the validity and reliability of an automated blood pressure machine

Answer 9

Inaccurate if patient has irregularities in heart rythm e.g. atrial fibrillation

Only provides a ‘snapshot’ may not detect acute changes in condition

Question 10

What artery does the automated blood pressure machine use?

Answer 10

Brachial artery