Practicum 1: HR/BP

Question 1

why the 2 numbers for blood pressure, the purpose of the cuff?

Answer 1

• to measure systolic (pressure in arteries when heart contracts) and diastolic (pressure when the heart relaxes)
• purpose of the cuff is to stop the flow of blood to your artery

Question 2

what if the measurement is above the cut-off threshold?

Answer 2

• cut-off threshold = 144/94 mm/Hg
• let the client rest for a bit since it could be due to white coat syndrome, running late, etc
• if still high after 2 readings, we cannot proceed with testing/activity

Question 3

how does touching the wrist tell you about the heart?

Answer 3

• it allows us to feel for the radial artery on the lateral side of the forearm

Question 4

how can you hear a heartbeat using a stethoscope?

Answer 4

the diaphragm (disc) of the stethoscope should be positioned over the second intercostal space on the left side of the client

record HR using stopwatch

Question 5

explain how HR monitors can detect heart rate

Answer 5

When a heartbeat is detected a radio signal is transmitted, which the receiver uses to display/determine the current heart rate

Question 6

how do you interpret the results/percentile for flexibility?

Answer 6

trunk forward flexion:

• take best score out of 3 trials
• look at chart to see where the client’s score lands based on age and sex (in course manual)

YMCA:

• take best score out of 3 trials
• look at chart and place score based on age/sex to see their percentile (in course manual)

Question 7

what can affect re-test results for flexibility?

Answer 7

• the warm-up that is done prior to the test
  
  • if it is different than the one used during the previous test/no warm-up is done at all, it could affect the results of the re-test

Question 8

where do you position yourself during flexibility and why?

Answer 8

trunk forward flexion:

• client is positioned in a seated position, legs fully extended, feet flat (no footwear) against the flexometer
• flexometer is against the wall so it does not move during assessment

YMCA:

• starting position is similar to trunk forward flexion, but legs spread 10-12 inches apart (measured at the ankles) and heels of the feet are positioned at the beginning edge of the tape

Question 9

how may a client/athlete cheat to get a better score?

Answer 9

• they may try to use momentum
• may try to bend knees

Question 10

what is a response you can say to an athlete that asks “why test flexibility”?

Answer 10

• it is good for sport performance
• helps us make sure that your flexibility does not get worse
• helps to reduce injury