Cardio - Blood Pressure Flashcards

1
Q

How do we prepare the sphygmomanometer?

A

Find one of appropriate size cuff (bladder - 80% of arm circumfrence)
Remove tubes then squeeze any excess air out

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2
Q

How do we prepare the patient?

A

Seated upright and relaxed
Upper arm fully exposed:
- Abducted, supinated and elbow extended
- Supported a level of heart

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3
Q

Applying the Cuff?

A
  • Apply snugly the right way round (‘patient’ mark against skin)
  • Bladder centered over cubital fossa (tubes coming down to ant elbow but not interfering with stethoscope)
  • Reconnect tubes and close valve
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4
Q

How do we locate the brachial artery?

A

Medial to biceps tendon and lateral to muscle bulk.

Its more medial and superior than you think

Use your thumb

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5
Q

How do we estimate the BP?

A

Inflate until the pulse dissapears

If your not certain let the air out slowly till you feel it reappear then deflate rapidly

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6
Q

How do we go about finding an accurate BP?

A

Apply stethoscope to brachial artery, ensuring no contact with cuff.

Reinflate to 30mmHg > estimated systolic

Drop pressure at 2mmHg/s

note when sounds appear - Systolic

Note when suonds dissapear - Diastolic

(in some people they don’t dissapear, note when they become muffled for diastolic)

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