WEEK 5 - BLOOD PRESSURE

Question 1

WHAT IS BLOOD PRESSURE

Answer 1

“Blood pressure is when the heart pumps blood through the arteries, the blood puts pressure on the artery walls.”
- Controlled by cardiac output and peripheral
vascular resistance
* Heart rate and Stroke volume = cardiac output
* Increase in any of these increases the BP

Question 2

WHAT IS SYSTOLIC BLOOD PRESSURE?

Answer 2

• The maximum pressure of the blood against the wall of the artery.
• It occurs during ventricular contraction. Systole

Question 3

WHAT IS DIASTOLIC BLOOD PRESSURE?

Answer 3

• The minimum pressure of the blood against the wall of the artery.
• It occurs during ventricular relaxation/rest. Diastole

Question 4

WHAT ARE FACTORS AFFECTING BLOOD PRESSURE?

Answer 4

· Time of day
· Exercise
· Stress, anxiety,fear
· Age
· Medications
· Pain
· Gender

Question 5

NORMAL PARAMETERS OF BLOOD PRESSURE?

Answer 5

New born - 40 (mean)

1 year - 85/54

6 year - 95/65

14-17 year - 120/75

Middle Adult - <120/80

Question 6

WHAT ARE ERRORS DURING BLOOD PRESSURE ASESSMENT

Answer 6

• Insufficient rest before the assessment = false high reading
• Deflating cuff too quickly = false low systolic & high diastolic
• Deflating cuff too slowly = false high diastolic
• Do not place cuff over clothing
• Ask patient not to talk during measurement of BP

Question 7

WHAT IS CARDIAC OUTPUT?

Answer 7

• How much volume of blood per min pumped
• Cardiac output = Stroke Volume x Heart Rate
• Stroke volume is amount of blood pumped out in 1 beat.
• Heart Rate is how many beats per minute.