1. Blood Pressure

2. Blood Pressure
Blood pressure (BP) is the pressure or tension exerted on the arterial walls as blood pulsates through them (principal vital sign)
Systolic blood pressure (SBP) – pressure exerted on the arteries during the contraction phase of the heartbeat.
Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) – the resting pressure on the arteries as the heart relaxes between contractions.

3. Diastolic phase: heart relaxes, BP falls, heart fills with blood
Systolic phase : heart contracts, BP rises, heart pumps blood out to the body

4. 120 80 Reporting BP Unit of measurement: Millimeters of mercury (mmHg)
“LUB”
120 80
“DUB”

5. Classification of BP for Adults
Blood Pressure (cont.)
Classification of BP for Adults
Category
Systolic (mmHg)
Diastolic (mmHg)
Hypotension
< 90
<60
Normal
and
Prehypertension or
Stage 1 Hypertension
140 – 159 Or
Stage 2 Hypertension
≥ 160
or ≥ 100

6. Blood Pressure (cont.) Sites for Blood Pressure Assessment
Brachial artery – taken on the upper arm; most common site.
Radial artery – taken on the lower arm; possible site for infants or clients who have very large upper arms.
Popliteal artery– taken on the thigh.
Dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial – taken on the lower leg.

7. Blood Pressure (cont.) Equipment for Measuring Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is measured using a sphygmomanometer, also called a BP cuff, or cuff.
Sounds like: SFIG-moh-mə-NOM-i-ter

8. Blood Pressure (cont.) Equipment for Measuring Blood Pressure Mercury
Types of Sphygmomanometers
Mercury – has a calibrated glass tube containing mercury.
Aneroid – has a calibrated dial with a needle that points to numbers on the
face of the dial.
Electronic – uses a digital display and usually includes the pulse rate.
Mercury
Aneroid
Digital

9. Homework: What factors affect HR & BP?
Heart Rate
Blood Pressure

10. Scientific Investigation
Inquiry Question:
Variables:
Independent Variable: What will be manipulated?
Dependent Variable: What will be affected?
Control: What will we compare our results to?
OR What will remain constant?

11. Chapter 9