1. How to Assess Blood Pressure

2. 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.

3. 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)

6. How do we record Blood Pressure?BP
Systolic/Diastolic

7. BP Norms: Category Systolic Diastolic Normal Blood Pressure <120
<80
Normal Range
60-80
Hypertension
(high blood pressure)
>140
>90
Hypotension
(low blood pressure)
<90
<60

8. Normal or Abnormal? 120/70 210/100 100/40 110/68 102/60 140/70 120/94
Normal range:
Systolic: Diastolic:
Hypertension:
Systolic > Diastolic >90
Hypotension:
Systolic <90 Diastolic <60
120/70
210/100
100/40
110/68
102/60
140/70
120/94

9. 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”?

10. 5 Causes of Hypertension
Stress
Anxiety
Obesity
High salt intake
Aging
Kidney disease
Thyroid deficiency
arteriosclerosis

11. 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

12. Types of Sphygmomanometers

13. What instruments are needed to measure blood pressure?

14. Parts of a Sphygmomanometer

15. How do you read an aneroid gauge?

16. Let’s Practice!
Worksheet packet – reading an aneroid and mercury gauge

18. How to Assess BP video
Korotkoff sounds
Assessing BP sounds/practice

19. Video 2 Answers:
/72 /0
/86

20. 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.

21. 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