Blood Pressure, Pulses & Special Testing

Question 0

Systolic pressure

Answer 0

Blood pressure when heart contracts. Higher (in both senses of the word) of the two numbers.

Question 1

What is blood pressure

Answer 1

The force of blood against the walls of blood vessels. Measured in millimetres of mercury (mm Hg).

Question 2

Diastolic blood pressure

Answer 2

The pressure when the heart relaxes. Lower in both senses of the word.

Question 3

What is the optimal blood pressure reading?

Answer 3

120/80

Question 4

What is the acceptable range for blood pressure readings?

Answer 4

140 mm Hg for systolic
90 mm Hg for diastole
(130 and 80 for people with diabetes or kidney disease)

Question 5

What are the steps for taking blood pressure?

Answer 5

1. Position guest properly.
   - midpoint of upper arm level with heart (reading elevates as arm drops)
2. Place cuff around arm.
   
   • roughly same height as heart
3. Place stethoscope in ears
4. Pump up cuff (ensure valve is closed)
5. Loosen valve slowly and listen for Korotkoff Sounds.

Question 6

Korotkoff Sounds

Answer 6

Sounds heard through stethoscope as blood pressure cuff deflates. 5 phases.

Phase 1. Total occlusion. No sounds. Or maybe first sound when systolic pressure = cuff pressure

Phase 2. Swishing sound as blood flow increases. If cuff loosened too slowly sounds may disappear temporarily.

Phase 3. Resumption of tapping.

Phase 4. Abrupt muffling of sound as blood flow less turbulent.

Phase 5. Silence. Blood flow now laminar.

Question 7

Ausculatory Gap

Answer 7

During a BP reading, the moment of silence when the cuff is released too slowly and the blood vessels become congested (during Phase 2 of Korotkoff’s Sounds)

Question 8

Pulse

Answer 8

Frequency of heart beat (although in some cases heart rate may be greater than pulse rate).

Pulse of artery located close to surface of the body and is best felt by utilizing the pads of 2nd and 3rd fingers and compressing artery against a solid mass

Question 9

Normal range of pulse

Answer 9

60-100 BPM (average 75)

Question 10

Bradycardia

Answer 10

Slow pulse. Under 60 bpm

Question 11

Tachycardia

Answer 11

Fast heart rate. Over 100 BPM.

Question 12

Pulses we need to know:

Answer 12

Temporal
Facial
Common carotid
Axillary
Brachial
Radial
Ulnar
Femoral
Popliteal
Posterior Tibial
Dorsal pedis.