how to take a blood pressure reading

8/3/2019 How to Take a Blood Pressure Reading

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HOW TO TAKE A BLOOD PRESSURE

READING

USING A SPHYGMOMANOMETER

Instruction Set

Lucas Man

English 202C


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Systolic Pressure:

The maximum

blood pressure

while the heart iscontracting; the

top number in a

blood pressure

reading

Diastolic Pressure:

The minimum

blood pressure

while the heart is

relaxing; the

bottom number in

a blood pressure

reading

120

80

A typical blood

pressure reading

contains 2

numbers, the top isthe systolic

pressure and the

bottom is the

diastolic pressure

INTRODUCTION

Checking blood pressure is a routine procedure performed at

the doctors office during almost every check-up, but for most

people, it is a mysterious and complicated procedure. For those

who are managing high blood pressure, learning how check

their own blood pressure on a daily basis can be very helpful.

The procedure is quite easy and fast can be done by almost

anyone at home with the right equipment. The most common

equipment used to take blood pressure readings is the

sphygmomanometer, also known as a blood pressure cuff.

A sphygmomanometer works by putting pressure on the blood

vessels leading into the arm. When the pressure of the cuff

exceeds the systolic pressure, blood flow to the forearm is

completely cut off. As the pressure in the cuff is decreased to below the systolic pressure, blood begins to

flow into the foreman. There is resistance to the blood flow because of the cuff and this causes a thumping,

heartbeat like sounds known as Korotkoff sounds that can be heard with a stethoscope. Finally, when thepressure in the cuff drops to below the diastolic pressure, blood flows unimpeded through the blood

vessels and Korotkoff sounds will cease.

Using a sphygmomanometer is easy and quick, and experienced users can take readings in 2-3 minutes, but

beginners might find it necessary to repeat the procedure a few times. Readings can be taken anywhere

where the subject can be sitting and there is a flat surface like a table to rest an arm on.

CAUTION: Never over-pressurize the cuff, it could severely hurt the subject or burst the cuff. Do not cut

off blood flow to the arm for too long; if the subjects arm is feeling numb, depressurize and unwrap the

cuff immediately. After each reading, if unsuccessful, unwrap the cuff and allow the subjects arm to relax

for a minute or two. Discomfort or anxiousness of the subject will tend to elevate blood pressure.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED

A chair

A flat surface

A sphygmomanometer

A stethoscope

A sphygmomanometer is one of the cheapest

and most reliable tools for checking blood

pressure


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PARTS OF THE SPHYGMOMANOMETER AND STETHOSCOPE

STEPS

There are only a few steps to taking a blood pressure reading, and they can be divided into 2 main steps:

setting up the sphygmomanometer, and taking the reading.

1. SETTING UP THE SPHYGMOMANOMETER1.1.Have the subject sit down on the chair with one of

his or her arms extended and resting gently on the

flat surface with palm facing up. If the subject has

thick, long sleeves on, roll them up.

The subject should be seated in a relaxed and

comfortable position.

1.2.Unwrap the sphygmomanometer cuffs and slide itflat under the subjects extended arm with the

Velcro hooks side down. Position the cuff so that

the tubes leading to the bulb and pressure gauge

are facing away from the subjects body.

1

2

3

4

5

6

1. Sphygmomanometer

Cuff

2. SphygmomanometerBulb

3. Sphygmomanometer

valve knob

4. Sphygmomanometer

pressure gauge

5. Stethoscope earpieces

6. Stethoscope bell


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TIP: If the cuff is

wrapped too

tightly over the

arm, it will cut off

circulation to the

arm and throw offthe reading.

TIP: Hold the

stethoscope in

position with your

non-dominant

hand or ask the

subject to hold it

with his or her free

hand.

1.3.Wrap the cuff around the subjects arm. Do not

wrap the cuff too tightly. Ask the subject if he or

she is comfortable. Position the cuff over the

subjects upper arm so that the bottom edge of the

cuff is just above the inside of the elbow. Rotatethe cuff around the arm so that the white patch

with black arrows is centered on the top of the

subjects arm.

1.4.Position the sphygmomanometer bulb where you can easily reach with your dominant hand. Clip

the pressure gauge to the grey strip on the cuff or position it where you can easily and clearly read

it. Make sure the tubes are not tangled or constricted.

The cuff should now be comfortably wrapped around the subjects arm. The cuff should be above

the elbow so that the subject is able to bend at the e lbow without bending the cuff. The bulb andgauge should be in easily accessible positions.

2. TAKING A READING2.1.Put the stethoscope earpieces in your ear. The

earpieces can be slightly turned backwards or

forward to fit more comfortably.

2.2.Place the bell of the stethoscope with the wider

side down under the bottom edge of the cuff.

The bell should be slight above the inside of the

subjects elbow. Note: For the best results the

stethoscope bell should be placed directly over

the artery. The approximate location of theartery is indicated by the black arrows on the

cuff.

Note: Hold the bell between two fingers or grasp the back with fingertips. Never hold the

stethoscope with your thumb on the back of the wide diaphragm. The pulse in your thumb is

strong enough to be picked up through the stethoscope; this will affect your reading.


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TIP: The valve is

very sensitive. Only

a slight turn is

needed to open or

close it.

TIP: It is okay to

pump the cuff back

up a few mmHg if

you miss exactly

where the sounds

started or stopped.

Do not do it too

many times or thesubject will get

uncomfortable

TIP: The average

blood pressure for

an adult male is:

120

80

So you should start

hearing the first

sounds around

120.

2.3.Hold the sphygmomanometer bulb in the palm of

your dominant hand. Hold the valve knob

between the thumb and index fingers.

2.4.Close the valve by turning the knob clockwise as

far as it can turn. Note: Do not over-tighten the

knob as it will make the valve more difficult to

open again.

READ THE NEXT 3 STEPS TOGETHER FIRST BEFORE BEGINNING TO PERFORM

THEM2.5.Watch the pressure gauge and pump the cuff up

by repeatedly squeezing and releasing the bulb.

Increase the pressure in the cuff to 140 -160

mmHg.

CAUTION: DO NOT OVER-PRESSURIZE. STOP

AND TURN THE VALVE KNOB COUNTER-

CLOCKWISE IMMEDIATELY IF THE SUBJECT IS IN

SEVERE DISCOMFORT. IF THE SUBJECTS ARM

BEGINS TO FEEL NUMB, RELEASE THE VALVE

AND DEPRESSURIZE.

2.6.Turn the valve knob counter-clockwise very slightly to release pressure slowly. Do not release

pressure too quickly.

For accurate readings, the needle should move about 2 mmHg a second.

2.7.Watch the needle fall on the pressure gauge and listen closely for Korotkoff sounds. It should

sound almost like heartbeats.At first, the sounds might be very soft. Take note of where the

needle is when you first hear the sounds;this is the subjects systolic pressure.The sounds

should get louder and then softer again.Take note of where the needle is when the sounds stop;

this is the subjects diastolic pressure.


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You now have the information you need for the subjects blood pressure. Blood

pressure is usually reported as 2 numbers, systolic pressure over diastolic pressure.

2.8.Release the valve by turning the knob all the

way counter-clockwise after you have obtained

your reading. Unwrap the cuff and squeeze anyremaining air out of the cuff.

COMMON MISTAKES AND TIPS

It is alright and common to make mistakes taking blood pressure readings, especially for beginners. Here

are some common mistakes and tips on how to avoid them.

Depressurizing too quicklyMost people unfamiliar with the sphygmomanometer will turn the knobtoo far counter-clockwise and cause the cuff to lose pressure too quickly to get an accurate reading. It

only takes a slight nudge to open the valve and let air out slowly.

Not hearing Korotkoff sounds Sometimes, Korotkoff sounds are difficult to hear. Take readings in aquiet environment where you can focus on listening for the sounds. Do not be afraid to try more than

once as long as you give the subjects arm time to relax before you pump up the cuff again. Move the

stethoscope around to find the optimum position over the artery.

Hearing thumping sounds at all pressures or extreme pressures If you are hearing sounds atunrealistically high or low pressures, you might be hearing noises from other sources. Korotkoff sounds

are very distinctive and thump like a heartbeat. Move to a quieter location to take the reading. If the

noises you hear also have a beat, you may be hearing a pulse from your own fingers. Hold the

stethoscope more gently with your fingertips and do not place your fingers directly on the back of the

bell.

how to take a blood pressure reading

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