Blood pressure measurement

using automated devices

EHES Training Material

Exclusion criteria

Blood pressure is not measured • If a participant has

• open wounds/sores on both arms• severe rash on both arms• both arms amputated• cast on both arms• malformation on both arms preventing to place

the cuff• lymph node malfunction in both arms

• If the participant refuses

Instruction to the participants

Before blood pressure measurement ask • If the participant has abstained from recently

• eating • drinking (except water)• smoking• heavy exercise• alcohol use

• If the participant needs to empty bladder

Equipment

Watch and thermometer

Measurement tape

Cuffs

Measurement device

Setting up the measurement site

• The room should be• quiet• comfortable temperature• no disturbances

• Place the device so that• you see the screen of the

device clearly• the participant cannot see

the results

Position of the subject

• Participant is sitting• back supported • feet resting firmly

on the floor• feet not crossed

• Check that the position of the participant does not change during the measurement

Feet resting on the floor, not crossed

Back supported

Position of the arm• Take the measurement

from the right arm• Arm resting on the

desk / arm rest• antecubital fossa at

the level of the heart• if needed, adjust the

chair or use a pillow to elevate the arm

• Palm facing up

Right arm, resting Palm facing

up

In line with the heart

ClothingRoll sleeves up, if not constrictive

Undress constrictive sleeves

Measurement process• Ask the participant

• to sit still for 5 minutes • not to talk or move

during the measurements

• Explain, that you will tell the measurement results after all 3 measurements are taken

• Measure arm circumference and select cuff

Selection of the cuff

• Measure the greatest circumference of the upper arm

• The bladder of the cuff should be• width: At least 40% of

the arm circumference• length: At least 80% of

the arm circumference

Placement of the cuff

• Place the cuff on right arm about 2-3 cm above the antecubital fossa

• Check that the top edge of the cuff is not restricted by clothing

• Check that the cuff is not too tide• one finger fits between

the cuff and the arm

Cuff 2-3 cm above antecubital fossa

Measurement of pulse rate

• Palpate the radial pulse and count the pulse rate for 60 seconds

• Record 60 sec pulse count and whether or not the pulse was regular

Measurement of blood pressure

• Follow instructions of the automated device

• Measure blood pressure 3 times, one minute between measurements

Recording the results• Record

• Room temperature• Time of the blood

pressure measurement• Pulse for 60 seconds• Results of the 3 blood

pressure measurements• All exceptions

• Record the results in the participant’s feedback form and explain the results to the participant

Acknowledgements

• Slides • Hanna Tolonen, Päivikki Koponen

• Photographs• Hanna Tolonen

• Measurement demonstrations • Sanna Ahonen, Kari Kuulasmaa, Shadia Rask,

Ari Haukijärvi, Anne Söderqvist, Marja Lampola, Katri Kilpeläinen, Vesa Tanskanen, Marika Strang, Ulla Leskinen