As such, adherence to local infection prevention and control policies — including the cleaning of equipment between every patient contact — is essential. Before undertaking a manual or automated BP measurement, ensure the patient is either lying on a bed or trolley Fig 1a , or sitting comfortably in a chair that has a backrest, and positioned with feet placed on the floor and legs uncrossed Fig 1b.
Ideally, the patient should not have drunk alcohol or a caffeinated drink or smoked tobacco for 15 minutes before the procedure, and should be relaxed, not talking and should have been in position for at least five minutes British and Irish Hypertension Society, a.
Explain the procedure to the patient and obtain consent. Ensure there are no contraindications to using their arm such as lymphodema, IV infusion, recent trauma or surgery, or an arteriovenous fistula. If there are problems, use the other arm or consider measurement on the lower limbs Dougherty and Lister, Remove any tight clothing that is restricting the arm, and support it at the level of the heart using a pillow, table or arm rest Fig 2. Ensure the patient is sitting comfortably.
If the BP needs to be repeated, wait for at least one minute before each reading. Record each measurement immediately and avoid relying on memory Beevers et al, Before starting, ascertain whether you will need assistance from a colleague to help the patient to stand.
Ideally, a manual BP measurement device should be used. This procedure should be undertaken only after approved training, supervised practice and competency assessment, and carried out in accordance with local policies and protocols.
Tagged with: Coronavirus zone: vital signs Newly qualified nurses: practical procedures. Sign in or Register a new account to join the discussion. The artery used to measure the blood pressure should be close to the level of the heart, with the arm supported.
With the arm extended, feel for the pulsation of the brachial artery. In most people, the pulse can be felt above the antecubital fossa, where the artery comes closest to the skin.
The lower margin of the cuff should be positioned 1 inch above the point where you found the pulse. Make it tight! This is your diastolic pressure. Slowly release the manual pressure while looking straight-on at the sphygmomanometer. Create an account. Edit this Article. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article parts. Things You'll Need. Related Articles.
Article Summary. Part 1. Verify that you have the right cuff size. However, if you have an especially narrow or wide arm, or if you plan to take the blood pressure of a child, you may need a different size.
Check the size of a cuff before buying it. Look at the "index" line. This is the range line on the cuff that tells you if it fits. If you do not use the proper cuff size, you may end up with an inaccurate measurement.
Avoid factors that can increase blood pressure. Certain conditions can cause blood pressure to spike temporarily. In order to get an accurate measurement, you or your patient should avoid these conditions before taking your blood pressure.
Factors that can affect blood pressure include: stress, smoking, exercise, cold temperatures, a full stomach, a full bladder, caffeine, and some medications. If you need to check the patient's blood pressure regularly, try to do so at the same approximate time each day. Find a quiet place. You will need to listen your, or your patient's heartbeat, so a quiet setting is ideal.
A quiet room is also a calm room, so someone who rests in a quiet room while checking his or her blood pressure is more likely to feel relaxed, rather than stressed. Therefore you are more likely to get an accurate reading. Get comfortable. Since physical stress can affect a blood pressure reading, you or the patient whose reading you take, should get comfortable. For example, use the bathroom before you have your blood pressure taken.
It's also a good idea to keep yourself warm. Find a warm room, or if the room is chilly, wear an extra layer of clothing to keep warm. In addition, if you have a headache or body ache, try to reduce or relieve the pain before taking your blood pressure. Remove tight sleeves. Roll up your left sleeve or, better yet, change into a shirt that exposes your upper arm.
Blood pressure should be measured from the left arm, so the sleeve should be removed from the upper left arm. Rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Resting will assure that your heart rate and blood pressure have the chance to stabilize before the measurement is taken. Find a comfortable and appropriate location to take your blood pressure. Sit in a chair next to a table. Rest your left forearm on the table. Position your left arm so that it rests at about heart level. Keep the palm of your hand facing up.
Sit up straight. Your back should be against the back of the chair and your legs should be uncrossed. Part 2. Locate your pulse. When you press lightly you should be able to feel the pulse of your brachial artery from this position.
If you have difficultly locating your pulse, place the head of the stethoscope the round piece at the end of the tube in the same general area and listen until you can hear your heartbeat. Wrap the cuff around your arm. Tuck the cuff end through the metal loop and slide it onto your upper arm. The cuff should be roughly 1 inch 2. Make sure that your skin is not pinched by the cuff as you wrap it securely.
The cuff should have heavy duty velcro on it, which will hold the cuff closed. Check the tightness of the cuff by slipping two fingertips underneath. If you can wiggle the two fingertips under the top edge but cannot wedge your full fingers beneath the cuff, the cuff is tight enough. If you can wedge your full fingers under the cuff then you need to open up the cuff and pull it tighter before closing it again. Slide the head of the stethoscope under the cuff.
The head should be face down, with the wide part of the chest piece in contact with the skin.
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