Blood Pressure Measurement Techniques

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Questions and Answers

What percentage of the arm circumference is the bladder of a blood pressure cuff?

50%

20%

30%

40% (correct)

Which artery is typically used for blood pressure measurement?

Dorsalis pedis artery

Popliteal artery

Radial artery

Brachial artery (correct)

What is the purpose of assessing blood pressure?

To monitor the effect of medication

To assess vascular resistance

To obtain a baseline measure of arterial blood pressure for subsequent evaluation (correct)

To diagnose hypertension

What is Phase 1 of Korotkoff's Sounds in blood pressure measurement?

The pressure at which the first faint clear tapping sounds are heard Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct position of the client's arm during blood pressure measurement?

Flexed with the palm facing up Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum width requirement for the blood pressure cuff?

⅔ of the arm circumference Signup and view all the answers

What is the nurse's responsibility during blood pressure measurement?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important for the client to avoid caffeine and smoking 30 minutes before blood pressure measurement?

To ensure accurate readings Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the arteries when elastic and muscular tissues are replaced with fibrous tissue?

They lose their ability to constrict and dilate Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of increased blood volume on blood pressure?

It increases blood pressure Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of high blood viscosity on blood pressure?

It increases blood pressure Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of age on blood pressure?

It increases blood pressure Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of exercise on blood pressure?

It increases blood pressure Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the arteries when the proportion of red blood cells to plasma increases?

They become more viscous Signup and view all the answers

What is the main factor that determines peripheral resistance in the arterial system?

The internal diameter of the arterioles and capillaries Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a result of increased vasoconstriction?

Increased blood pressure Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a blood pressure that is persistently above normal?

Hypertension Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a factor that can increase blood pressure?

Increased peripheral vascular resistance Signup and view all the answers

What is the pressure of the blood when the ventricles are at rest?

Diastolic pressure Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a factor that determines peripheral resistance?

Cardiac output Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the thickening and stiffening of the arteries?

Arteriosclerosis Signup and view all the answers

What is the normal blood pressure measurement?

120/80 mmHg Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Blood Pressure Measurement

The bladder of a blood pressure cuff should be 40% of the arm circumference or 20% wider than the diameter of the midpoint of the limb.
Appropriate sizes of the length of the bladder cuff are:
- Newborn
- Infant
- Child
- Adult
- Large adult
- Thigh

Blood Pressure Assessment Sites

Brachial artery: taken on the upper arm, mostly
Radial artery: taken on the lower arm, possible site for infants or clients with a very large upper arm
Popliteal artery: taken on the thigh
Dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial: taken on the lower leg

Korotkoff's Sounds

Phase 1: first faint clear tapping sounds are heard
Phase 2: sounds have a swishing quality
Phase 3: sounds are crisper and more intense
Phase 4: sounds become muffled and have a soft, blowing quality
Phase 5: sounds disappear

Assessing Blood Pressure

Purpose: to obtain a baseline measure of arterial blood pressure for subsequent evaluation
Assessment: signs and symptoms of hypertension, hypotension, and factors affecting blood pressure
Preparation:
- Equipment: stethoscope, sphygmomanometer, and blood pressure cuff
- Patient: client has not smoked or ingested caffeine within 30 minutes, bladder of the cuff must be at least ⅔ of the arm, and arm should be flexed with the palm of the hand facing up and the forearm supported at heart level
- Nurse: introduce themselves, explain the procedure, and ask the patient's name and birth date

Blood Pressure Concepts

Blood pressure: the pressure of blood pushing against the walls of arteries
Arterial blood pressure: a measure of the pressure exerted by the blood as it flows through the arteries
Systolic pressure: the pressure of the blood as a result of contraction of the ventricles
Diastolic pressure: the pressure when the ventricles are at rest
Pulse pressure: the difference between the diastolic and systolic pressures
Arteriosclerosis: occurs when the arteries that carry oxygen and nutrients from the heart to the rest of the body become thick and stiff
Hypertension: a blood pressure that is persistently above normal
Hypotension: the blood pressure is below normal

Measurements of Blood Pressure

Normal blood pressure: 120/80 mmHg

Factors Determining Blood Pressure

Pumping action of the heart:
- Weak pumping action: low cardiac output and BP
- Strong pumping action: high cardiac output and BP
Peripheral vascular resistance:
- Increased peripheral resistance: increases blood pressure, especially diastolic pressure
- Factors that create resistance: capacity of arterioles and capillaries, compliance of the arteries, and viscosity of the blood
Blood volume:
- Decrease in blood volume: decrease in BP
- Increase in blood volume: increase in BP
Blood viscosity:
- High blood viscosity: high BP
- High haematocrit: increases viscosity

Factors Affecting Blood Pressure

Age:
- BP increases with age
- Decreased elasticity of arteries in older adults
- Increased systolic and diastolic pressure in older adults
Exercise:
- Physical activity increases cardiac output and BP

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Description

This quiz covers the appropriate size of the length of the bladder cuff and the different sites for blood pressure assessment, including brachial, radial, and popliteal arteries.