blood+pressure

blood pressure is taken using an instrument called a sphygmomanometer. you will also require a stethoscope and a blood pressure cuff (the correct size for the patients arm) and gauge.

1) approach the patient with a smile and explain to them what you will be doing. ensure the patient is positioned comfortably with their feet flat on floor, sitting upright or lying flat and with palms facing outwards, with the arm bent at the elbow in an upright position. if sitting on a chair it might be wise to rest the arm on a table/support mechanism

2)roll the patients sleeve up and wrap the inflatable blood pressure cuff around the persons upper arm (should cover two thirds). cuff should be firm and not loose that it can turn around the arm

3) to get an estimate, feel the patients radial pulse and increase pressure till the pulse can no longer be felt

4)place the earpieces of the stethoscope in your ear and the bell on the skin below the cuff (over brachial artery)

5)pump the hollow rubber bulb attached to the blood pressure cuff until you hear no sounds coming through the stethoscope (above the limit of which you felt no pulse as done in step3). no sound means there is no blood flow towards the fingers of the arm

6)turn the air release valve slowly in a counterclockwise direction to deflate the cuff, this should allow pressure to decrease.

7)listen for sounds. the first "thump" is the systolic pressure. sounds should continue to be heard, until they stop. the last sound is the patients dialostic pressure.

8) release any remaining air in the cuff, once readings of pressures is acquired

-mel

**__ Thanks thats awesome(: __**

Normal range of bp 120/80 Its measuring systolic which is highest and diastolic which is lowest