BP

Question 1

Blood Pressure Basics

Answer 1

Definition: Force of blood pushing against the vessel wall.
Systolic Pressure: Maximum pressure during left ventricular contraction.
Diastolic Pressure: Pressure during elastic recoil between heartbeats.

Question 2

Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP)

Answer 2

MAP: Pressure forcing blood into tissues, averaged over the cardiac cycle.

Question 3

Factors Affecting BP

Answer 3

Age: BP increases with age.
Sex: Females have lower BP than males until menopause, then it becomes higher.
Ethnocultural Considerations: Black individuals tend to have higher BP.
Obesity: Higher BP.
Time of Day: Higher in late afternoon/early evening.
Exercise: Increases BP, returns to normal after 5 minutes.
Emotions: Fear, anger, and pain increase BP (due to SNS stimulation).
Stress: Elevates BP

Question 4

Components of Blood Pressure

Answer 4

Cardiac Output: More blood pumped = higher BP.
Peripheral Vascular Resistance: Smaller vessels = higher BP.
Blood Volume: More blood in circulation = higher BP.
Viscosity: Thicker blood = higher BP.
Elasticity of Arteries: Stiff arteries = higher BP.

Question 5

Measuring BP

Answer 5

Rest: Patient should rest for 5 minutes before measurement.
3 Measurements: Take 3 readings, each 2 minutes apart. Discard the first and average the other two.
Position: Patient sitting/lying with bare arm at heart level, feet flat on the ground.
Cuff Size: Width should be 40% of arm circumference, length should cover 80%.
Arm Choice: Check both arms at least once. Difference of 10-15 mmHg is normal.

Question 6

Common Errors in BP Measurement

Answer 6

Below heart level: BP too high.
Above heart level: BP too low.
Patient supports arm: High diastolic.
Wrong leg position: High systolic and diastolic.
Cuff too wide: BP too low.
Cuff too narrow: BP too high.
Pushing stethoscope too hard: Low diastolic.
Deflating cuff too quickly: Low systolic.
Deflating cuff too slowly: High diastolic.

Question 7

Proper BP Measurement

Answer 7

Cuff Placement: Center cuff 2.5 cm above brachial artery, wrap evenly.
Inflation: Inflate cuff until pulse disappears, then inflate 20-30 mmHg more.
Normal BP: Systolic 100-120 mmHg, Diastolic 60-80 mmHg