Download Measuring BP

Blood pressure reflects the
force of the heartbeat and the
resistance of the arteries to the
pumping action of the heart.
*Systolic pressure
represents the heart
contraction.
*Diastolic pressure
represents relaxation of
the heart.
It is measured in millimeters of
mercury (mmHg).
A blood pressure cuff and gauge
(sphygmomanometer)
is simply a way to measure the
performance of the pump (heart)
and the pipes (blood vessels).
Stethoscope
Devise for listening to internal sounds
Steps for
Measuring Blood Pressure
Step One
Positioning your Patient
1. Relaxed but not slouched having rested for 2 – 5 min.
2. Legs uncrossed, feet flat on the floor
3. Arm placed on a table slightly flexed with palm upward
4. Upper arm should be at heart level
Locate the Brachial Pulse
With the patients resting on palm turned
up, and the arm slightly bent at the
elbow, place the first two fingers of your
hand on the medial third of the crease of
the elbow (antecubital fossa). Press
firmly and hold for five seconds.
*Remember this position.
Step Three
Fasten the thumb screw on the sphygmomanometer pump and ……..
Step Four
Rapidly inflate the cuff to 140 - 150 mmHg
Step Five
1.
2.
3.
Smoothly, slowly open the thumb valve and deflate the cuff at a constant
rate of approx 2 mmHg per second (1 mark/sec)
When you first hear a sound note the reading on the gage. That will be the
systolic pressure.
Continue the slow release of air – when you no longer hear heart sounds
note the reading on the gage. This will be the diastolic pressure.
A normal blood pressure rate is 120/80 mmHg
When the cuff is inflated it is cutting off the blood
flow. As the pressure in the cuff is released, blood
starts to flow again and it can be heard in the
stethoscope. The number at which the blood
starts flowing is the measure of the maximum
output of the heart (systolic reading). As the
pressure continues to be released the sounds
stop. That number indicates the pressure in the
system when the heart is relaxed (diastolic
reading).