Blood Pressure Flashcards
How do you start a blood pressure examination?
Wash your hands.
Introduce yourself.
Check the patient’s name and DOB.
Gain verbal consent.
Outline the procedure.
Warn the patient about potential discomfort.
Where do you put the sphygmomanometer?
On a flat surface, on level with the patient’s heart.
Face the dial towards the examiner.
How do you prepare the sphygmomanometer?
Ensure the dial is set to zero.
Select the appropriate sized cuff.
Disconnect the tubing and squeeze out excess air from the cuff.
How should you position a patient for blood pressure examination?
Seated and fully relaxed.
Upper arm fully exposed and abducted, at the level of the heart.
Elbow supinated and extended.
Where should you apply the cuff to the patient?
Snugly around the upper arm (one finger can be inserted between the cuff and arm).
Centred around the cubital fossa.
How should you apply the cuff to the patient?
Allow space for stethoscope application over the brachial artery.
Reconnect the tube and close the valve of the bulb (with one hand).
How do you estimate systolic pressure?
Palpate the radial or brachial pulse.
Inflate the cuff until the pulse disappears.
Note the pressure on the dial (estimate).
Deflate the cuff rapidly to zero.
Outline the steps from estimating systolic pressure and reinflating the cuff.
Apply the stethoscope to the brachial artery.
Avoid contact with the cuff.
Reinflate the cuff to estimated systolic pressure + 30.
How do you auscultate pressures?
Slowly open the valve so the pressure falls at around 2mm/Hg per second.
Level of onset of repeated tapping - systolic.
Level of absence of tapping - diastolic.
Rapidly, fully deflate the cuff.
How do you document a blood pressure examination?
BP - systolic / diastolic.
How do you conclude a blood pressure examination?
Remove the cuff.
Thank the patient.
Make them comfortable.
Wash your hands.
What must you do before and during a blood pressure examination?
Determine the infectivity of the patient.
Do not sit on the patient’s bed.
What is Korotkoff sound I?
Onset of sounds.
Artery is just opening.
Systloic pressure.
What are Korotkoff sounds II, III and IV?
II - swishing sounds, BP increases.
III - thumping sounds, artery opens wider.
IV - sudden muffling, artery is almost open.
What is Korotkoff sound V?
Silent artery.
The artery is fully open.
Diastolic pressure.
