How to Assess Blood Pressure
What is blood pressure?
• Blood pressure is the measurement of the
pressure that the blood exerts on the walls of
the arteries during the various stages of heart
activity.
2 Types of Blood Pressure
Measurement
• Systolic: pressure in
walls of arteries when
the left ventricle is
contracting
• Diastolic: pressure
when left ventricle is at
rest (or between
contractions)
How do we record Blood Pressure?
• BP
• Systolic/Diastolic
BP Norms:
Category
Systolic
Diastolic
Normal Blood
Pressure
<120
<80
Normal Range
100-120
60-80
Hypertension
(high blood
pressure)
>140
>90
Hypotension
(low blood pressure)
<90
<60
Normal or Abnormal?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
120/70
210/100
100/40
110/68
102/60
140/70
120/94
Normal range:
Systolic: 100-120 Diastolic: 60-80
Hypertension:
Systolic >140 Diastolic >90
Hypotension:
Systolic <90 Diastolic <60
Application:
• Read the definitions/info on Hypertension and
Hypotension on page 447.
• List 5 causes of hypertension
• List 5 causes of hypotension
• What is orthostatic hypotension? What are
the S&S?
• Why is hypertension often called the “silent
killer”?
5 Causes of Hypertension
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Stress
Anxiety
Obesity
High salt intake
Aging
Kidney disease
Thyroid deficiency
arteriosclerosis
5 Causes of Hypotension
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Heart failure
Dehydration
Severe burns
Depression
Hemorrhage
Shock
Orthostatic hypotension: sudden drop in BP
when pt moves from lying to sitting/standing
Types of Sphygmomanometers
What instruments are needed to
measure blood pressure?
Parts of a Sphygmomanometer
How do you read an aneroid gauge?
Let’s Practice!
• Worksheet packet – reading an aneroid and
mercury gauge
• How to Assess BP video
• Korotkoff sounds
• Assessing BP sounds/practice
Video 2 Answers:
• 1. 118/72
• 2. 124/0
• 3. 132/86
Let’s Practice!
Must maintain very quiet environment to make
proper assessment.
NO horseplay!
Do not overinflate cuff.
Must remove jackets/hoodies.
Must roll up sleeve to expose arm.
BP Assessment
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Expose arm
Identify antecubital space
Identify brachial artery
Place cuff approx. 1 inch above brachial artery
Inflate cuff to approx. 160mm Hg
Open bulb valve SLOWLY!
1st sound: systolic
Last sound: diastolic