How to Assess Blood Pressure

What is blood pressure?

• Blood pressure is the measurement of the pressure that the blood exerts on the walls of the arteries during the various stages of heart activity.

2 Types of Blood Pressure Measurement

• Systolic: pressure in walls of arteries when the left ventricle is contracting

• Diastolic: pressure when left ventricle is at rest (or between contractions)

How do we record Blood Pressure?

• BP• Systolic/Diastolic

BP Norms:

Category Systolic Diastolic

Normal Blood Pressure

<120 <80

Normal Range 100-120 60-80

Hypertension (high blood pressure)

>140 >90

Hypotension(low blood pressure)

<90 <60

Normal or Abnormal?

• 120/70• 210/100• 100/40• 110/68• 102/60• 140/70• 120/94

Normal range:

Systolic: 100-120 Diastolic: 60-80

Hypertension:Systolic >140 Diastolic >90

Hypotension:Systolic <90 Diastolic <60

Application:

• Read the definitions/info on Hypertension and Hypotension on page 447.

• List 5 causes of hypertension• List 5 causes of hypotension• What is orthostatic hypotension? What are

the S&S?• Why is hypertension often called the “silent

killer”?

5 Causes of Hypertension

• Stress• Anxiety• Obesity• High salt intake• Aging• Kidney disease• Thyroid deficiency• arteriosclerosis

5 Causes of Hypotension

• Heart failure• Dehydration• Severe burns• Depression• Hemorrhage• Shock• Orthostatic hypotension: sudden drop in BP

when pt moves from lying to sitting/standing

Types of Sphygmomanometers

What instruments are needed to measure blood pressure?

Parts of a Sphygmomanometer

How do you read an aneroid gauge?

Let’s Practice!

• Worksheet packet – reading an aneroid and mercury gauge

• How to Assess BP video• Korotkoff sounds• Assessing BP sounds/practice

Video 2 Answers:

• 1. 118/72

• 2. 124/0

• 3. 132/86

Let’s Practice!

Must maintain very quiet environment to make proper assessment.NO horseplay!Do not overinflate cuff.Must remove jackets/hoodies.Must roll up sleeve to expose arm.

BP Assessment

• Expose arm• Identify antecubital space• Identify brachial artery• Place cuff approx. 1 inch above brachial artery• Inflate cuff to approx. 160mm Hg• Open bulb valve SLOWLY!• 1st sound: systolic• Last sound: diastolic