TEST #1

Question 1

Systolic Blood Pressure

Answer 1

The maximum pressure on the arteries during systole, the phase of the heartbeat when the ventricles contract

Question 2

Systole

Answer 2

CAuses the ejection of blood out of the ventricles and into the aorta and pulmonary arteries

Question 3

Diastolic Blood Pressure

Answer 3

The resting pressure on the arteries during diastole

Question 4

Diastole

Answer 4

The phase of the heartbeat when the heart muscle relaxes and allows the chambers to fill with blood

Question 5

Hypertension

Answer 5

Elevated blood pressure (130/80 mmHg or higher)
* To be diagnosed with hypertension the blood pressure must be high based on TWO or more BP readings on TWO or more occasions.

Question 6

Hypotension

Answer 6

Low blood pressure (90/60 mmHg) or less)

Question 7

Potential causes of hypotension

Answer 7

Dehydration, bleeding, cardiac conditions, medication side effects

Question 8

Why is hypotension a concern?

Answer 8

Potential lack of perfusion (passage of bodily fluids) to critical organs

Question 9

Orthostatic Hypotension

Answer 9

A drop in blood pressure that occurs when moving from a lying down or seated position to a standing position

Question 10

What is considered orthostatic hypotension

Answer 10

A decrease in blood pressure by at least 20 mmHg systolic and/or 10 mmHg diastolic within 3 minutes of standing

Question 11

Some effects of orthostatic hypotension

Answer 11

light-headedness, dizziness, fainting

Question 12

How to take an orthostatic blood pressure

Answer 12

1) Have pt stand for 1 minute
2) Obtain the BP measurement while the pt is standing
3) Obtain radial pulse again
4) Repeat BP and radial pulse at 3 minutes
5) If pt has symptoms of orthostatic BP, with no history of it, repeat measurements

Question 13

Normal adult blood pressure

Answer 13

less than 120/80 mmHg

Question 14

Elevated adult blood pressure

Answer 14

120-129/less than 80 mmHg

Question 15

Stage 1 Hypertenstion

Answer 15

130-139/80-89 mmHg

Question 16

Stage 2 hypertension

Answer 16

140 or higher/90 or greater mmHg

Question 17

Hypertensive crisis

Answer 17

Greater than 180/greater than 120 mmHg

Question 18

What is a 2-step blood pressure

Answer 18

First inflating the cuff and palpating the radial pulse to estimate the systolic blood pressure before obtaining the blood pressure reading

Question 19

Steps of obtaining a blood pressure

Answer 19

1) Gather supplies

2) Perform safety steps (hand hygiene, introduction, confirm pt ID, explain the process, be organized, ensure privacy and dignity, assess ABC’s)

3) Cleanse the stethoscope and blood pressure cuff before placing on the skin

4) Place pt in a sitting or reclined position (should be seated for at least 5 minutes before obtaining BP) ask about arm preference (and note if one arm can’t be used per dialysis port, fistula, mastectomy, etc.) BOTH feet should be flat on the floor and arm should be at heart level

5) Remove or rearrange clothing so cuff and stethoscope are on bare skin

6) Center bladder over brachial artery

7) Locate radial pulse

8) Inflate cuff rapidly until pulse is no longer felt, deflate cuff and wait at least a minute

9) Place bell on brachial artery and rapidly inflate cuff to 30 mmHg above where pulse was no longer felt

10) Deflate cuff gradually (2-3 mmHg per second) until first Korotkoff sound is heard. THIS IS SYSTOLIC PRESSURE

11) Continue to deflate cuff until Korotkoff sounds disappear. THIS IS DIASTOLIC PRESSURE

12) Deflate cuff completely and remove from pt arm

13) Inform pt of reading

14) Cleanse the stethoscope and cuff

15) Hand hygiene

16) Ensure safety measures when leaving the room (Call light, bed low, side rails, table, room risk-free for falls)

17) Document findings and report significant deviations