Bloodpressure

ASSESSING BLOOD PRESSURE
PREPARATION
Assess:
 Signs and symptoms of hypertension.
 Signs and symptoms of hypotension.
 Factors affecting blood pressure.
 Client for allergy to latex cuff.
Assemble equipment:
 Stethoscope or DUS
 Blood pressure cuff of the appropriate size
 Sphygmomanometer
PROCEDURE 1 2 3 4 5
1. Identify yourself and verify the client’s identity.
Explain to the client what you are going to do, why it
is necessary, and how the client can cooperate.
2. Perform hand hygiene and observe other appropriate
infection control procedures.
3. Provide for client privacy.
4. Position the client appropriately.
The adult client should be sitting unless otherwise
specified. Both feet should be flat on the floor.
The elbow should be slightly flexed, with the palm of
the hand facing up and the forearm supported at
heart level.
Expose the upper arm.
5. Wrap the deflated cuff evenly around the upper arm.
Locate the brachial artery. Apply the center of the
bladder directly over the artery.
For an adult, place the lower border of the cuff
approximately 2.5 cm (1 inch) above the antecubital
space.
6. If this is the client’s initial examination, perform a
preliminary palpatory determination of systolic
pressure.
7. Palpate the brachial artery with the fingertips.
Close the valve on the bulb.

8.
Pump up the cuff until you no longer feel the brachial
9. pulse. Note the pressure on the sphygmomanometer
at which pulse is no longer felt.
Release the pressure completely in the cuff and wait
10 1–2 minutes before taking further measurements.
11 Position the stethoscope appropriately.
Cleanse the earpieces with antiseptic wipe.

12
Insert the ear attachments of the stethoscope in your
13 ears so that they tilt slightly forward.
Ensure that the stethoscope hangs freely from the
ears to the diaphragm.
Place the bell side of the amplifier of the stethoscope
14 over the brachial pulse. Place stethoscope directly on
skin, not on clothing over the site. Hold the
diaphragm with the thumb and index finger.
15 Auscultate the client’s blood pressure.
Pump up the cuff until the sphygmomanometer is 30
16 mm Hg above the point where the brachial pulse
disappeared.
Release the valve on the cuff carefully so that the
17 pressure decreases at the rate of 2–3 mm Hg per
second.
As the pressure falls, identify the manometer reading
at Korotkoff phases I, IV, and V.
18 Deflate the cuff rapidly and completely.
Wait 1–2 minutes before making further
determinations.
Repeat the above steps once or twice as necessary
to confirm the accuracy of the reading.
19 If this is the client’s initial examination, repeat the
procedure on the client’s other arm.
Variation: Obtaining a Blood Pressure by the Palpation Method

Procedure
Palpate the radial or brachial pulse site as the cuff
pressure is released. The manometer reading at the
point where the pulse reappears represents a value
between auscultated systolic and diastolic values.
Variation: Taking a Thigh Blood Pressure
Procedure
 Help the client to assume a prone position. If the
client cannot assume this position, measure the
blood pressure while the client is in a supine
position with the knee slightly flexed. Slight
flexing of the knee will facilitate placing the
stethoscope on the popliteal space.
 Expose the thigh, taking care not to expose the
client unduly.
Locate the popliteal artery.
Wrap the cuff evenly around the midthigh with the
compression bladder over the posterior aspect of the
thigh and the bottom edge above the knee.
If this is the client’s initial examination, perform a
preliminary palpatory determination of systolic
pressure by palpating the popliteal artery.
In adults, the systolic pressure in the popliteal artery
is usually 20–30 mm Hg higher than that in the
brachial artery because of use of a larger bladder;
the diastolic pressure usually is the same.
Variation: Using an Electronic Indirect Blood Pressure Monitoring Device
Procedure
Place the blood pressure cuff on the extremity
according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Turn on the blood pressure switch.
If appropriate, set the device for the desired number
of minutes between blood pressure determinations.
When the device has determined the blood pressure
reading, note the digital results.
10. Remove the cuff.
11. Wipe the cuff with an approved disinfectant.
12. Document and report pertinent assessment data
according to agency policy.
TOTAL
________________________
Clinical Instructor
(Sign over printed name)

Bloodpressure

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What are the steps to properly take a blood pressure reading?

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ASSESSING BLOOD PRESSURE

Close the valve on the bulb.

Cleanse the earpieces with antiseptic wipe.

Variation: Obtaining a Blood Pressure by the Palpation Method

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