AGUILAR, Alexa Nicole A. (20172103274)
Name of Program: Altapresyon
Preceptor: Dr. Brizuela
Section: 2021A
TASKS: How to take BP
SUB-TASKS
KNOWLEDGE NEEDED
Must Know
Nice to Know
ATTITUDE
Useful to Know
Choose the right Know what the following instruments are,
equipment for
what they’re for, and how to use them:
taking BP
● Stethoscope
● Blood pressure cuff
● Blood pressure measurement instrument
(i.e. aneroid, mercury column
sphygmomanometer, automated device
with a manual inflate mode)
Know that there are digital
and analog instruments,
and that there are
advantages and
disadvantages to both
Know that instruments
Observant
should be regularly checked
for accuracy (calibration).
This can be done by
checking your own BP
(considering that you know
your own BP) and seeing if it
matches with your reading
Prepare the
patient for
measuring the
BP
Know if this is the patient’s
first time to have their BP
taken, if not, what are their
usual experiences when
they’re getting their BP
taken
Know that there are patient’s
that will not be able to sit the
ideal way as they are
disabled, or may have
devices and/or injuries
covering their arms such as
casts, fractures, fistula site
for dialysis, etc. which
should be attended to
accordingly
Approachable,
able to have
rapport with
patient
Know that most
measurement errors occur
by not taking the time to
choose the proper cuff size
Observant
Know that:
● The patient should be relaxed by
allowing 5 minutes to relax before the
first reading
● The patient should sit upright with their
upper arm - the one to be covered by the
BP cuff - positioned so it is level with
their heart and feet flat on the floor
● The patient should have avoided factors
that can increase their BP at least 30
minutes prior to getting their BP (e.g.
stress, smoking, exercise, cold
temperatures, a full stomach, a full
bladder, caffeine, and some medications)
● The patient should remove excess
clothing that might interfere with the BP
cuff or constrict blood flow in the arm (i.e.
rolling sleeves)
● The patient and the attendant should
refrain from talking during the reading of
the BP
Choose the
appropriate BP
cuff for the
patient
Know the 2018 AHA Blood Pressure
Clinical Practice Guidelines
recommendations for appropriate BP cuff
according to age and size
Know the available cuff
sizes in your center/area
for efficiency
Position the BP
cuff on the
patient
Know the following:
Know that some BP cuff
Know that:
have indicators or signs to
know how they should be ● 2 fingerbreadths from the
antecubital area is a good
placed on the patient’s
estimation of where the
arm.
BP cuff should be placed
● 2 fingers that can snugly
fit under the BP cuff after
wrapping it around the
patient’s arm is a good
estimate of how tight the
cuff should be
● Basic anatomy of significant arteries for
BP measurement
● How and where to wrap the BP cuff
around the patient’s upper arm properly
Attentive
Mindful of the
patient if they
might feel any
pain
Measure the
patient’s BP
Knowledge on:
● Proper inflation and deflation of BP cuff
prior to measurement, and after every
reading
● Determination of palpatory blood
pressure
● Properly positioning and using the
stethoscope for auscultation of Korotkoff
sounds
● Determination of Systolic reading
● Determination of Diastolic reading
● Acquiring accurate and precise readings
Interpret the
results of the
readings
Know the 2018 AHA Blood Pressure
Clinical Practice Guidelines
recommendations for interpreting blood
pressure levels and when to advise the
patient to consult a physician/expert
Know how to manipulate
Know how to properly
the airflow valve of pumps position the gauge and
for efficiency
pump for efficiency and to
avoid influencing the
patient’s BP
Attentive
Know that some
individuals may have
normally high or low BP
readings (i.e. athletes,
diagnosed hypertensives)
Critical
thinking
Know the factors that can
influence the readings of a
patient (i.e. too tight or too
loose BP cuff, “whitecoat
hypertension”, etc.)
SUB-TASKS
SKILLS NEEDED
Decision Making
Manual
Communication
Choose the right Choosing the key instruments to use
equipment
to properly measure BP:
stethoscope and
sphygmomanometer (BP cuff with
measurement instrument)
Prepare the
patient for
measuring the
BP
Properly cleaning your hands and/or
wearing gloves prior to touching the
patient
Choose the
appropriate BP
cuff for the
patient
Choosing the correct BP cuff that will Checking for the appropriate BP cuff
fit the patient
for the patient by wrapping the cuff
around the patient's arm and using the
INDEX line to determine if the patient's
arm circumference falls within the
RANGE area. Otherwise, choose the
appropriate smaller or larger cuff.
Position the BP
cuff on the
patient
● Locating the radial and brachial
pulse
● Wrapping the cuff around the
patient’s arm
● Checking the tightness of the cuff by
slipping two fingertips underneath
Measure the
patient’s BP
Measuring the patient’s BP
Interpret the
results
Interpreting the blood pressure level Recording the SBP and DBP taken
of the patient based on the acquired from the readings, and noting the time
readings
of most recent BP medication taken
before measurement if there was any
● Asking for consent to measure the
patient’s BP especially when
removing clothing
● Informing the patient to relax, the
proper position while taking the BP
measurements, and to refrain from
talking while the BP is being taken
● Asking the patient if s/he have or
have taken any of the factors that
may increase his/her BP
Providing the patient the SBP/DBP
readings both verbally and in writing,
and thanking them for their cooperation