Blood Pressure

Question 1

Blood pressure

Answer 1

Force exerted by blood on the vessel walls

Blood pressure is highest in the arteries closest to the heart

Question 2

Systolic and diastolic pressure

Answer 2

Diastolic (bottom)= pressure produced when ventricle relaxes, when arteries contain the least blood

Question 3

Systolic pressure is determined by:

Answer 3

Stroke volume
Force of the contraction
Elasticity of the arterial wall

Question 4

Diastolic pressure is determined by:

Answer 4

Resistance in the walls
Systole pressure
Cardiac output

Question 5

When and why?

Answer 5

To establish a baseline
Each antenatal visit
Following surgery
Due to any clinical conditions

Question 6

Hypertension and hypotension

Answer 6

Hypertension= high blood pressure

Hypotension= low blood pressure

Question 7

Equipment

Answer 7

Alcohol gel
Cuff
Observation chart (meow)
Stethoscope

Question 8

Technique

Answer 8

1) avoid putting cuff on top clothes and legs should not be crossed
2) cuff should be at heart level
3) cuff should be 3 to 5cm above the brachial artery
4) one hand on radial pulse and the other pumping bulb until pulse can not be felt
5) place stethoscope above the brachial artery
6) deflate the cuff and listen for sounds with the first one being systolic and the last being diastolic
7) read the needle position