Blood pressure Flashcards
Define blood pressure?
Blood pressure is defined as the lateral pressure that the pulsing blood exerts on the artery walls.
What is systolic?
(the upper number). measures the peak of maximum pressure as blood is ejected into the aorta.Pressure exerted on arteriole walls during ventricular contraction.
So basically the heart contracts, blood pressure rises and the blood moves out along the vessels.
what is diastolic?
(the lower number). measures the pressure between beats, as the ventricles relax. Lowest level of arteriole pressure during ventricular cycle.
So basically the heart relaxes, blood pressure falls and blood fills the heart.
What is stroke volume?
the amount of blood pumped out of a ventricle during one contraction.
What is cardiac output?
stroke volume x heart rate
What is korotkoff sound of BP?
the tapping sound heard when taking BP.
What are some questions you should be asking when assessing your patient when taking blood pressure?
Have you had any headaches lately? (high BP)
Do you feel dizzy or suffer vertigo if I sat you up? (low BP)
Have you done any exercise?
Do you smoke, taken any caffeine or are on any medication?
Indicate why you might repeat the procedure on the other arm.
to determine any differences in the readings. If it was abnormal or the 1st time being assessed.
when performing a preliminary palpatory systolic what are you doing and why?
to assertain where to pump the cuff up to. you are feeling the brachial pulse when pumping up the cuff and seeing when the pulse disappears.
when you have established that you add 30 to it to establish where to pump the cuff to when taking a BP.
What is the process of taking a BP.
Talk with the patient- introduce, explain, gain consent
assess the patient
gather equipment- alcowipes, steth, etc.
what are the indications for taking a blood pressure?
- BP is done to assess the haemodynamic health status of the patient.
- to obtain a baseline for subsequent comparison
- to identify and monitor alterations in BP due to disease process or medical therapy.
- BP can be ordered, done for protocol reasons or be nurse initiated.
what is the normal range for an adult BP?
120/80 - 140/90 is the normal range
what should you be asking and checking for before applying the cuff?
If the patient has had a mastectomy, shoulder surgery, or lymph nodes removed. Also the nurse would be checking the arm for lesions or tubes (IV’s) in the arm.
Why should the patient be asked to keep quiet during the BP process?
Conversation has been demonstrated to elevate the BP reading by as much as 40 per cent.
