1. Measuring and Recording Blood Pressure
Health Science Technology
Mrs. J. Hanna, RN

2. Blood Pressure-BP
Measurement of pressure that the blood exerts on the artery walls during the various stages of heart activity.
Measured in mmHg on instrument called a sphygmomanometer. (blood pressure cuff)

3. Two types of BP Systolic-top#-first beat heard
Diastolic-bottom #-last beats
heard

4. Systolic Pressure
Systolic pressure occurs in artery walls when the L ventricle of the heart is contracting and pushing blood into the arteries.
Normal systolic reading is 120 mmHg
Normal range is mmHg

5. Diastolic Blood Pressure
Diastolic pressure-constant pressure in artery walls when L ventricle of heart is at rest or between contractions.
Volume of blood in arteries has decreased.
Normal reading: 80mm/Hg
Normal range: mm/Hg

6. Pulse Pressure Difference between systolic and diastolic pressure
Normal range in adults is 30 to 50 mm/Hg.
Example: Systolic pressure is 120 mm/Hg and diastolic pressure is 80 mm/Hg, the pulse pressure is 40 mm/Hg. (120-80=40)

7. HYPERTENSION High blood pressure When pressures are greater than
140 mm/Hg systolic and 90 mm/Hg
diastolic
Common Causes: stress, anxiety, kidney disease, aging, high-salt intake, thyroid deficiency, and vascular conditions.

8. HYPOTENSION
Low blood pressure when pressures are less than 100 mm/Hg systolic and
60 mm/Hg diastolic.
Common Causes: heart failure, hemorrhage, dehydration, depression, severe burns.

9. Orthostatic Hypotension
Postural hypotension-occurs when there is a sudden drop in both systolic and diastolic pressure.
This occurs when the individual moves from a lying to a sitting or standing position.
Caused by inability of blood vessels to compensate quickly to the change in position.

10. Various Factors Influences BP Readings
Force of heartbeat
Resistance of the arterial system
Elasticity of the arteries
Volume of the blood in arteries

11. Various Factors Causing Increased BP
excitement, anxiety, nervous tension
Exercise and eating
smoking

12. Various Factors Causing Decreased BP
Rest or sleep
Depressant drugs
Shock
Excessive loss of blood
Fasting

13. Factor that may cause changes
Lying down
Sitting position
Standing position

14. Recording BP Record as a fraction. Systolic is the top number
Diastolic is the bottom number
120/80

15. Two main types of sphygmomanometers
Mercury sphygmomanometer-has long column of mercury
Each mark represents 2 mmHg.
Aneroid has round gauge
Cuff deflated=zero for accuracy
*Electronic types used in healthcare facilities.

16. Recommendations
AHA-American Heart Assn. recommends pt. sit quietly least 5 min. before taking BP.
AHA recommends that two readings be taken, averaged, with a minimum wait of 30 seconds between readings.
Pt. seated or lying comfortably with forearm supported on flat surface.

17. Procedure Cuff appropriate size for pt.
Arm free of restrictive clothing
Deflated cuff should be placed on arm with center of cuff directly over the brachial artery.
Lower edge of cuff should be 1-1 ½ inches above the bend of the elbow.

18. Rest of the procedure
Final point-accuracy in placing stethoscope bell or diaphragm directly over the brachial artery at the antecubital area (bend in the elbow).
Hold securely but with slight pressure.
NEVER DISCUSS ANY READING OR VS READING WITH A PT/RESIDENT!

19. Do not use
Arm with IV
Arm with paralysis

20. Reflection Your resident’s blood pressure is 186/110.
Discuss with a partner what this means and what your next step would be.
Explore some of the questions you might want to ask the resident if he were at home or at a community event.