Taking Blood Pressure
1. Position the pressure cuff - practice the following procedure several times to become familiar with the equipment, plan to relax and rest for at least 15 minutes. This will reduce the error due to physical activity. if you are right handed, slip the pressure cuff over your left arm and extent your left arm palm up. Whether sitting or lying . be sure that your arm resta at the same level as your heart. TURN THE CUFF SO THAT THE STETHOSCOPE DIAPHRAGM ( sound head) is on the inside of the arm just above the elbow. this locates it over the large arteryu near the hollow of the elbow. this artery can be found by feeling for the pulse of the artery, grasp the end of the cuff and pull it snug, then wrap it around and over the arm, pressing together with Velcro tape to bind the cuff securely.
2.Inflate the cuff - Feel the pulse of the artery with your fingertips to be sure the heads of the stethoscope is located directly over it. insert the earpieces of the stethoscope, hold the gauge in your left hand or clip onto the cuff on the loop provided for reading. Close the air-flow valve on the bulb DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN. Inflate the cuff by repeatedly squeezing the bulb with your right hand. listen to the pulse beat whilst inflating the cuff. watch the gauge. When your can no longer heat the pulse beat, raise the pressure an additional 30mm.
3. Slowly deflate the cuff- Slowly open the air-flow valve by turning counter clockwise so that the pressure drops 2-4 mmHg with each beat of your heart. the rate of deflation is important for accurate reading, remember the pressure of the cuff has shut off all blood flow to the arm. so do not leave it inflated fully any longer than absolutely necessary.
4. Systolic Pressure- After opening the air-flow valve, listen carefully for a pulse beat. the moment you hear the faint rhythmic tapping or tumping sound of the pulse beat, note the reading on the gauge. this is your systolic blood pressure. it may be different at first for you to detect the sound s of the pulse beat, listen carefully and acquaint yourself with these unfamiliar sounds. you should also notice the needle on the gauge " bounce" when your systolic pressure is reached.
5.Diastolic Pressure- Allow the pressure to continue dropping at the same rate as before2-4mmHg per second. listen carefully with the stethoscope. The sounds you hear will change the phases. from the first sharp tagging or thud, they will soften to blowing or swishing sounds. watch the falling needle. at the exact point when you can no longer hear the sounds, read the gauge. This is your diastolic blood pressure reading.
