Blood Pressure Examination

Question 1

Cuff Selection

Answer 1

The length of the inflatable bladder needs to be approximately 80% of the circumference of the arm and the width about 40%

The reading will be artificially elevated if the cuff is too small and the opposite if the cuff is too big.

Question 2

Korotkoff sounds

Answer 2

Question 3

Heart Chamber Sizes and Pressures

Answer 3

Question 4

Definition of Postural Hypotension

Answer 4

A fall of more than 15mmHg systolic or 10mmHg diastolic

Question 5

Classification of Blood Pressure Readings

Answer 5

Question 6

Pressure Changes over Cardiac Cycle

Answer 6

Question 7

Causes of Postural Hypotension

Answer 7

Hypovolaemia (e.g. dehydration, bleeding);
Hypopituitarism

Addison’s disease (adrenal gland failure)

Neuropathy - autonomic (e.g. diabetes mellitis, amyloidosis, Shy-Drager syndrome)

Drugs (e.g. vasodilators, other antihypertensives, tricyclic antidepressants, diuretics, antipsychotics)

Idiopathic orthostatic hypotension (degeneration of autonomic nervois system in elderly men)