Blood Pressure Measurement: How to Check Blood Pressure Manually

Summary

In this instructional video, Sarah Threadster demonstrates the steps to manually check blood pressure, emphasizing the importance of proper technique and hygiene. She outlines the necessary supplies, including a stethoscope and a manual blood pressure cuff, and guides viewers through the procedure, from positioning the patient to interpreting the readings. Key points include identifying the brachial artery, estimating systolic pressure, and recognizing normal blood pressure ranges according to updated guidelines. This comprehensive tutorial serves as a valuable resource for healthcare professionals and anyone interested in understanding blood pressure measurement.

Takeaways

• 🧼 Ensure hand hygiene before starting the blood pressure measurement.
• 🩺 Gather necessary supplies: a stethoscope and a manual blood pressure cuff.
• 🪑 Position the patient correctly: sitting down with their arm at heart level and legs uncrossed.
• 📏 Use the correct size blood pressure cuff to ensure accurate readings.
• 🩸 Palpate the brachial artery to determine where to place the stethoscope.
• 📈 Inflate the cuff to a systolic pressure estimated by palpating the brachial artery.
• ⚠️ Inflate the cuff to 30 mmHg above the estimated systolic pressure to avoid missing the auscultatory gap.
• 👂 Use the bell of the stethoscope to listen for the first sound (systolic pressure) and the last sound (diastolic pressure).
• 📝 Document the blood pressure reading and specify the arm used.
• 📊 Normal blood pressure readings are less than 120/80 mmHg, while elevated and hypertension stages vary according to specific ranges.

Q & A

What are the necessary supplies for manually checking blood pressure?

You need a stethoscope and a manual blood pressure cuff.

How should the patient be positioned for an accurate blood pressure reading?

The patient should be seated with their arm at heart level and their legs uncrossed.

Why is it important to choose the correct size of the blood pressure cuff?

Using the correct cuff size ensures accurate readings; a cuff that is too big or too small can throw off the measurement.

What is the brachial artery and why is it significant in measuring blood pressure?

The brachial artery is located in the bend of the arm and is where you listen to obtain blood pressure readings.

How do you estimate the systolic pressure before taking the measurement?

You palpate the brachial artery and inflate the cuff until you no longer feel the artery; the reading at that point is your estimated systolic pressure.

What is the purpose of inflating the cuff 30 mmHg above the estimated systolic pressure?

This is done to avoid missing the auscultatory gap that can occur, particularly in patients with hypertension.

What should you listen for while deflating the cuff with the stethoscope?

You should listen for the first sound, which indicates systolic pressure, and the last sound, which indicates diastolic pressure.

How do you document the blood pressure reading after measuring it?

Document the blood pressure reading along with which arm it was taken from.

What are the normal blood pressure guidelines according to the American College of Cardiology 2017?

Normal blood pressure is systolic less than 120 mmHg and diastolic less than 80 mmHg.

What should you do with the blood pressure cuff after taking a measurement?

You should fully deflate the cuff, remove it from the patient, and clean it if it is not disposable.