Heart Rate and Blood Pressure

Question 1

Ways of Taking Heart Rate

Answer 1

> Pulse Oximetry (no rhythm)
Manually
- Radial (least invasive but less reliable if blood to peripheries is restricted)
- Carotid
Apex beat with stethoscope (5th intercostal space at mid-clavicular line) - RHYTHM
Telemetry - heart rate monitor round chest
ECG - gold standard

Question 2

Blood Pressure

Answer 2

> Normal = 120/80
Hypotensive = <90/60 (only an issue if symptomatic)
Hypertensive = >140/90

1) Automated - wrist or bicep
2) Manually - stethoscope over brachial artery + sphygmamoter around arm - release pressure + listen for ‘korotkoff’ (tapping start and finish due to turbulent flow)
3) A - line - V.invasive

Question 3

Observation Charts

Answer 3

*Gives overall picture of patient progress = National Early Warning Score 
> Respiratory Rate 
> Saturations
> Temperature
> Blood Pressure 
> Heart Rate 
> Level of Consciousness

+ Blood Sugar
+ Pain
+ Urine Output