Health Care Provider Lab C: Vital Signs: Blood Pressure

Informational Resources
Vital Signs :University of Rochester
Vital Signs: Cleveland Clinic
Understanding Blood Pressure: American Heart Association
Video 1: How to take a blood pressure reading
Video 2: Practice w/BP Readings

Blood Pressure Background

Blood Pressure is the force that blood puts on the walls of blood vessels as it travels through the
circulatory system. Let’s take a look at how blood circulates through your body first.
Blood Vessel Types

Background Videos & Practice Activity

Let’s look at how blood pressure is taken on a patient and then do a practice blood pressure reading (a
sort of individual lab).

Patient Analysis Activity

As we have done before, fill in the information below, for each Patient, to show your understanding of
concepts related to Blood Pressure. Make sure to review the videos & websites please.

Patient BP Chart

Patient Sex/Age Blood Pressure Notes: Be specific to show your learning

A M/16 110/64 Systolic and diastolic blood pressure is lower than regular
males at the age of 16 as the pressure should range from
120/85 mmHg.

B F/32 135/88 Patient B’s blood pressure is partially above the average
healthy blood pressures for women at the age of 30 to 35. The
average bp is 122/81 mmHg while her systolic pressure is
14mmHg higher while the diastolic pressure is 7mmHg
higher.

C M/72 130/84 Patient C has an average systolic and diastolic blood pressure
considering his gender and age. The average blood pressure of
males older than 60 is 134/84mmHg.
Blood Pressure/Circulatory System Vocabulary
For each term, supply an explanation/definition in your own words please.

Term Explanation/Definition (your words)

Hypotension Abnormally low blood pressure

Hypertension Abnormally high blood pressure

Artery Blood vessels that deliver and carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to
throughout the body

Arteriole Small branch of an artery that lead into capillaries

Vein Blood vessels that return blood to the heart

Venule A small vein that allows for blood to return from the capillaries into the larger
blood vessels

Capillaries Smallest blood vessels that connect the arteries with the vein; carry oxygenated
blood to cells throughout the body

Systolic BP Maximum pressure one’s heart exerts while beating; pressure of blood in the
arteries when the heart is filling up

Diastolic BP Minimum arterial pressure when rested/relaxed; pressure of blood while the heart
is pumping

Atria The upper cavities of the heart that receives blood from the veins and delivers it
into a ventricle throughout the body

Ventricles Chamber of heart; part of the heart that pumps blood to the arteries