Pulse and BP Lab 2024 PDF

RADIAL PULSE AND BLOOD PRESSURE MEASUREMENTS Dr. Eman Alsultan SITES FOR TAKING THE PULSE  RADIAL PULSE Use your middle three fingers for palpating the pulse. The pulse is best felt when the subject’s forearm is supinated, and the wrist...

RADIAL PULSE AND BLOOD PRESSURE MEASUREMENTS Dr. Eman Alsultan SITES FOR TAKING THE PULSE  RADIAL PULSE Use your middle three fingers for palpating the pulse. The pulse is best felt when the subject’s forearm is supinated, and the wrist slightly flexed.  The following observations should be made 1. Rate of pulse: count the beats for not less than half a minute 2. Rhythm: regular or Irregular 3. Volume: the amplitude of movement of vessel wall 4. Condition of vessel wall: exert pressure on the vessel and rolling it beneath the fingers  RATE OF THE RADIAL PULSE Normal rate (60 – 100 bpm) Tachycardia (> 100 bpm) Bradycardia (< 60 bpm) WHICH ONE IS CORRECT METHOD OF TAKING PULSE? HOW TO MEASURE THE ARTERIAL BLOOD PRESSURE?  ARTERIAL BLOOD PRESSURE Systolic blood pressure: The maximum pressure exerted in the arteries when blood is ejected into them during ventricular contraction (Systole). Diastolic blood pressure: The minimum pressure within the arteries draining off into the remainder of the vessels during ventricular relaxation (Diastole).  CORRECT METHOD OF TAKING THE BLOOD PRESSURE Insert the ear-pieces of stethoscope properly in your ears such that they are parallel to the external auditory canals Palpatory method for Systolic pressure only The subject should be sitting or lying at ease Feel the pulse at wrist. Steadily inflate the cuff until the pulse is no longer felt Gradually deflate the cuff using valve in the rubber pump, until the pulse reappears. Look at the level of mercury column in the sphygmomanometer, this marks the Systolic pressure Auscultatory method for Systolic & Diastolic pressures See that the diaphragm of stethoscope is open You can confirm this by tapping at the diaphragm and then listening to the sound Wrap the empty cuff around the middle one-third of the upper arm which should be fully relaxed The manometer is placed at the same level as the observer’s eye  Raise the pressure in the cuff above the systolic pressure as estimated by palpatory method Place the diaphragm of the stethoscope at the antecubital fossa just below the cuff Listen for sounds at brachial artery while deflating the cuff When sounds first appear, mark it as systolic pressure When sounds become faint or disappear, mark it as diastolic pressure  NORMAL VALUES OF BLOOD PRESSURE Systolic blood pressure: Average = 120 mm Hg (100 – 140 mm Hg) Diastolic blood pressure: Average = 80 mm Hg ( 60 – 90 mm Hg ) ARTERIAL BLOOD PRESSURE ABP = Systolic BP = 120 mmHg Diastolic BP 80  MEAN ARTERIAL PRESSURE (MAP) MAP = Diastolic BP +1/3 Pulse pressure Mean arterial pressure is the main driving force for blood flow  PULSE PRESSURE The pressure that can be felt in any artery lying close to the surface of the skin PP= Systolic BP - Diastolic BP= 120 – 80 = 40 mm Hg Pulse pressure reflects the force that heart generates with each contraction  SUMMARY Variable Normal range Radial Pulse 60 – 100 bpm Systolic Blood Pressure 100 - 140 mmHg Diastolic Blood Pressure 60 - 90 mmHg Pulse Pressure 40 – 60 mmHg Mean Blood Pressure 70 – 110 mmHg THANK YOU