Blood Pressure

Question 1

What is the systolic blood pressure reading ?

Answer 1

It is the measurement of blood pressure as the heart is beating

Question 2

What is the diastolic blood pressure reading ?

Answer 2

It is the blood pressure reading as the heart is resting.

Question 3

How is the blood pressure reading order

Answer 3

Systolic over diastolic (Systolic/diastolic)

Question 4

What does each line of the blood pressure gauge represent ?

Answer 4

It represents 2 mmHg. (millimetres of Mercury)

Question 5

What is a normal blood pressure reading?

Answer 5

120/80 (120 Systolic/ 80 Diastolic)

Question 6

What is the meaning of blood pressure?

Answer 6

It is the blood’s force as it is pumping against the walls of the arteries.

Question 7

Hypertension/ Hypertensive

Answer 7

Having high blood pressure = 140/90

Question 8

Hypotension/ Hypotensive

Answer 8

Having low blood pressure = 90/60 (90 Systolic/ 60 Diastolic)

Question 9

What is the ideal way to measure blood pressure ?

Answer 9

0. Wash hands
1. Ask patient permission
2. Make sure patient has arm at heart level (aligning with their heart)
3. Palpate for the brachial artery (located at the bend of arm = antecubital area)
4. Apply blood pressure cuff over the brachial artery of the patient, usually 1 or 2 in. over the antecubital space (this cuff may vary in size according to the patient)
5. Lightly apply the bell of the stethoscope over the brachial artery.
6. Pump up the sphygmomanometer up to about 180 mmHg
7. Slowly let the bp cuff go.
8. Hear for the first karakoff sound (systolic)
9. Hear for the last karakoff sound (diastolic)