How to Record Blood Pressure:
When you take blood pressure you’re taking 2 readings; a high and a low. Systolic is the high measurement and diastolic is the low measurement.
Supplies:
Blood Pressure Cuff
Stethoscope
1 Cloth
2 Alcohol pads
Steps:
Knock on the door, introduce yourself, and what you’re doing
Greet the patient by name
Provide for privacy by closing curtains
Wash your hands
Check the patient’s ID to confirm identity
Gather your supplies and place on a towel-covered tray table
Raise the patient’s bed to sitting position
Clean the diaphragm of the stethoscope with alcohol pad and clean ear buds
Place stethoscope around your neck with buds pointed away from your neck
Position the patient’s arm with palm up and elbow level with heart
Wrap blood pressure cuff evenly around the upper arm and be sure the bottom of the cuff is one inch above the antecubital (the surface of the arm in front of the elbow)
Ask the patient to hold the dial so you can see it easier
Locate the brachial artery, the major blood vessel of the upper arm
Position the diaphragm over the brachial artery and place the stethoscope ear pieces in your ears
Inflate the cuff safely, be sure it’s not more than 30mm past the point the last pulse is felt or heard
When inflating the cuff go to 80, wait and listen, then 100, 120 and so on..
When you no longer hear a beat, slowly begin to deflate the cuff by turning the knob SLIGHTLY
When you hear the first beat this is the systolic (remember where the number shows on the diaphragm)
When you hear the last beat, this is the diastolic (remember it)
Remove the cuff from the patient
Remove the stethoscope, and clean both the ear pieces and the ear drum
Record the patient’s blood pressure
Wash your hands and ask the patient how they would like the head of their bed
Place the call button in the patient’s hand and close the curtains
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