Blood Pressure PN 1 Nursing Skill Labs
Blood Pressure Force (or pressure) of blood in arterial walls in response to a ventricle contraction & ejection of blood
Terms cont’d Systolic- highest pressure- first sound heard Diastolic- lowest pressure - last sound heard S/D Recorded as :120/80 mm Hg. (measured in mm of mercury) Pulse Pressure- difference of S-D= 40
Equipment Stethoscope- used to auscultate Sphygmanometer- cuff ( many sizes) + manometer (mercury or aneroid)
Equipment cont’d for leaks for zero reading for fit of cuff
Equipment cont’d Mercury manometer Read meniscus at eye level
Assessing Brachial BP have pt. sit or lie unless we need standing also: roll up sleeves wrap BP cuff snugly around arm centre bladder over brachial artery*
Assessing Brachial BP Palpate brachial or radial artery inflate cuff until no pulse felt & note reading(this is approx. systolic) deflate cuff place stethoscope over brachial gently
Assessing Brachial BP cont’d Inflate 30 mm above point pulse no longer felt slowly release air 2 mm./sec. listen for Korotkoff sounds to appear & disappear while watching where manometer dial points sounds may be loud or soft
Korotkoff Sounds Phase S 1; sudden appearance of sound, taping11; soft swishing 111: crisper, louder D 11V: abrupt muffle D 2V: complete silence 120/80/60 **most don’t record D2
Assessing Brachial BP cont’d Systolic: first faint tapping sound that as air is released Diastolic: change in sound or cessation of distinct sound (120/80/58) Initially compare lt. & rt. (if difference use arm with higher pressure) Don’t use arm with IV, injuries or paralysis, unless no alternative
Assessing BP using palpation- no stethoscope used wrap cuff, palpate brachial artery inflate cuff 30 mm above point when pulsation disappears then release air & feel & record point when pulse returns, note reading on manometer only the systolic number recorded
Assessing BP using electronic meter digital display thru electronic reading no stethoscope used wrap cuff, inflate cuff, wait for recording on screen