1. Guidelines for Measuring Blood Pressure HST Class

2. Do not take blood pressure on an arm with an IV infusion, a cast, or a dialysis access site. Do not take blood pressure on an arm with an IV infusion, a cast, or a dialysis access site. If a person had breast surgery, blood pressure is not taken on that side. If a person had breast surgery, blood pressure is not taken on that side. Also avoid taking blood pressure on an injured arm. Also avoid taking blood pressure on an injured arm.

3. If the patient has been exercising or walking around, or has just received a treatment, let them rest for 10 to 20 minutes before measuring the blood pressure. If the patient has been exercising or walking around, or has just received a treatment, let them rest for 10 to 20 minutes before measuring the blood pressure. Measure blood pressure with the person sitting or lying. Measure blood pressure with the person sitting or lying.

4. Use the correct size blood pressure cuff. For example, a pediatric cuff for a very small arm, a Large or Extra Large cuff for patients with large arms. Use the correct size blood pressure cuff. For example, a pediatric cuff for a very small arm, a Large or Extra Large cuff for patients with large arms. Apply the cuff to the bare upper arm when possible. Do not apply the cuff over thick clothing. Apply the cuff to the bare upper arm when possible. Do not apply the cuff over thick clothing.

5. Make sure the cuff is snug. Loose cuffs can cause inaccurate readings. Make sure the cuff is snug. Loose cuffs can cause inaccurate readings. Place the diaphragm of the stethoscope firmly over the brachial artery. The entire diaphragm must have contact with the skin. Place the diaphragm of the stethoscope firmly over the brachial artery. The entire diaphragm must have contact with the skin.

6. Make sure the room is quiet. Talking, television, radio, and sounds from the hallway can affect an accurate measurement. Make sure the room is quiet. Talking, television, radio, and sounds from the hallway can affect an accurate measurement. Have the sphygmomanometer clearly visible. Change your position if you have to in order to see it clearly. Have the sphygmomanometer clearly visible. Change your position if you have to in order to see it clearly.

7. Measure the systolic and diastolic pressures. Measure the systolic and diastolic pressures. Again, the first sound you hear is the systolic pressure. Again, the first sound you hear is the systolic pressure. The point at which the sound disappears is the diastolic pressure. The point at which the sound disappears is the diastolic pressure.

8. Take the blood pressure again if you are not sure of an accurate measurement. Take the blood pressure again if you are not sure of an accurate measurement. Wait 30 to 60 seconds before taking the blood pressure readings again. Wait 30 to 60 seconds before taking the blood pressure readings again. Notify the nurse immediately is you cannot hear the blood pressure. Notify the nurse immediately is you cannot hear the blood pressure.

9. Factors Affecting Blood Pressure Age – blood pressure increases as a person grows older. It is lowest in infancy and childhood and highest in adulthood. Blood pressure usually continues to increase with age. Age – blood pressure increases as a person grows older. It is lowest in infancy and childhood and highest in adulthood. Blood pressure usually continues to increase with age.

10. Gender – women usually have lower blood pressure than men. Blood pressures rise in women after menopause. Gender – women usually have lower blood pressure than men. Blood pressures rise in women after menopause. Blood volume – is the amount of blood in the system. Severe bleeding lowers the blood volume. Therefore, the blood pressure lowers. Blood volume – is the amount of blood in the system. Severe bleeding lowers the blood volume. Therefore, the blood pressure lowers.

11. The rapid administration of IV fluids increases the blood volume. The blood pressure rises. The rapid administration of IV fluids increases the blood volume. The blood pressure rises. Stress – includes anxiety, fear, and emotions. Heart rate and blood pressure increase as part of the body’s response to stress. Stress – includes anxiety, fear, and emotions. Heart rate and blood pressure increase as part of the body’s response to stress.

12. Pain – generally increases blood pressure. However, severe pain can cause shock. Blood pressure is seriously low in the state of shock. Pain – generally increases blood pressure. However, severe pain can cause shock. Blood pressure is seriously low in the state of shock. Exercise – increases heart rate and blood pressure. Blood pressure is not measured right after exercise. Exercise – increases heart rate and blood pressure. Blood pressure is not measured right after exercise.

13. Weight – blood pressure is higher in overweight persons. The blood pressure lowers with weight loss. Weight – blood pressure is higher in overweight persons. The blood pressure lowers with weight loss. Race – black persons generally have higher blood pressures than white persons do. Race – black persons generally have higher blood pressures than white persons do.

14. Diet – a high sodium diet increases the amount of water in the body. The extra fluid volume increases blood pressure. Diet – a high sodium diet increases the amount of water in the body. The extra fluid volume increases blood pressure. Drugs – can be given to raise or lower blood pressure. Other drugs have the side effects of high or low blood pressure. Drugs – can be given to raise or lower blood pressure. Other drugs have the side effects of high or low blood pressure.

15. Position – blood pressure is generally lower when lying down and higher in the standing person. Sudden changes in position can cause sudden changes in blood pressure; this is called “orthostatic hypotension.” Position – blood pressure is generally lower when lying down and higher in the standing person. Sudden changes in position can cause sudden changes in blood pressure; this is called “orthostatic hypotension.”

16. A person who stands suddenly may have a sudden drop in blood pressure. Dizziness and fainting can occur. A person who stands suddenly may have a sudden drop in blood pressure. Dizziness and fainting can occur. Smoking – increases blood pressure. Nicotine in cigarettes causes blood vessels to narrow or “constrict”. With smoking, the Smoking – increases blood pressure. Nicotine in cigarettes causes blood vessels to narrow or “constrict”. With smoking, the

17. heart must work harder to pump blood through narrowed vessels, so the blood pressure increases. heart must work harder to pump blood through narrowed vessels, so the blood pressure increases. Alcohol – excessive alcohol intake can raise blood pressure. Alcohol – excessive alcohol intake can raise blood pressure.