Page 158 - Demonstrating skill coppysaved colored-converted

Systolic= 100-120mm.Hg/millimeter of mercury can go up to 140mm/Hg in some
normal people).
Diastolic= 60-90mm/Hg/ millimeter of mercury/.
Purpose
a) To determine the patient’s condition
b) To aid in diagnosis
1. Equipment
2. Sphygmomanometer (aneroid or with mercury).
3. Stethoscope
4. Swap

Procedure
1. If the patient is ambulatory place he in a sitting position with the arm resting
comfortably; if a bed-confined patient places him in a dorsal or fowler's position.
2. Be sure that there is no pressure on the arm.
3. Place the cuff around the arm above the elbow.
4. Wrap it comfortably but not too tightly around the arm.
5. Be sure the place the sphygmomanometer where there is enough light.
6. Palpate the brachial artery and place the stethoscope over the pulsating vessel.
7. Pump sufficient air into the cuff to occlude (close off) the flow of blood.
8. Usually, a pressure of 140-180mm of mercury is sufficient.
9. Do not pump more air than necessary, as it is very uncomfortable.
10. Do not press too hard on the stethoscope because the circulation will be cut off. See
that the stethoscope does not touch other Equipment for it will cause friction and thus
make extra noise which interferes with the hearing.
11. Be sure that the entire end of the stethoscope on the arm.
12. Gradually let the pressure out of the cuff unit's first heart is heard. This is the systolic
reading.
13. Continue letting air out completely.
14. Remove cuff.
15. Roll it from the small tapered end toward the rubber inside cuff. The
sphygmomanometer will then be ready to reapply without rolling it again.
16. Put Equipment away.
17. Chart reading, time, and observation.

Precautions
a) Do not let pressure drop too rapidly; the reading will be inaccurate.
b) Be sure the cuff is neither too tight nor too loose
c) Do not let the patient bend his arm.
d) Do not let the patient drip his fingers, clutch the table or object of any kind.
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