Blood Pressure Flashcards
Define: Sphygmomanometer
inflatable cuff
Describe how to determine an appropriately sized cuff.
bladder length encircles approx. 80% of arm circumference and bladder width is approx. 40% of arm circumference
What screening questions should be asked before taking a blood pressure?
medical conditions and medication, BP medications and last dose, normal BP reading, factors that would affect BP (food and drink, caffeine, nicotine, exercise- past 30 minutes)
How do you prepare a patient for a BP reading?
quiet area, allow a 5-minute rest, ensure patient is sitting with back supported and feet flat on the floor, support the patient’s arm at heart level
Describe: Brachial artery
antecubital fossa (arm) and is where the stethoscope will be placed and must be lined up with the cuff
Describe: Radial pulse
wrist on thumb side where 2 fingers can be placed and cuff inflated to estimate systolic blood pressure
What must you document after taking a patient’s blood pressure?
BP in even numbers with units, arm used, patient position (sitting, standing, lying), cuff size
Define: Systolic Blood Pressure/Diastolic Blood Pressure
pressure in the arteries when the heart beats/pressure in arteries when heart rests between beats
Define: Normal BP
<120/<80
Define: Elevated
120-129/<80
Define: Stage 1 Hypertension
130-139/80-90
Define: Stage 2 Hypertension
> =140/>=90
Define: Hypotension
<90/60 mmHg
Define: Orthostatic Hypotension
blood pressure drops within 3 minutes after changing positions from sitting to standing, SBP decrease >= 20 mmHg and/or DBP decreases >= 10 mmHg
How does improper cuff size affect blood pressure reading?
too small= artificially high BP, too large= artificially low BP
