Blood Pressure - Report

Exercise 1: Auscultation
Auscultation
Volunteer's Name Systolic pressure (mmHg) Diastolic pressure (mmHg)
Student 1 126 87

Study Question
1. What are some possible sources of error or variation in this technique of blood pressure measurement?
Exercise 2: Cardio Microphone

Cardiomicrophone
Volunteer's Name Systolic pressure (mmHg) Diastolic pressure (mmHg)
Student 2 130 73

Study Questions
1. Explain the underlying cause of the Kortokoff Sounds that you detected with the Cardio Microphone as the cuff pressure was
decreased.
Exercise 3: Blood pressure and pulse

Systolic Blood Pressure

Volunteer's Name Systolic pressure (mmHg)
Student 3 116

Study Questions
1. Comment on how the systolic pressure determined by auscultation and by pulse detection compare for each of the subjects in
your group.

2. From your results, do you think that pulse measurement can replace the stethoscope in determining diastolic pressure?
Exercise 4: Hydrostatic effects

Hydrostatic Effects on Blood Pressure

Conditions Systolic pressure (mmHg)
arm flexed to 90 degrees 123
arm fully extended 141
arm held above head 54

Study Questions
1. Explain the differences in pressure with the arm in different positions.
Hint: the pressure in a column of fluid depends on height. In a column of blood, a difference in height of one meter corresponds to a
pressure difference of 10.3 kPa or 77 mmHg.

2. Given the variation in pressure with height, in clinical medicine human blood pressure is normally referenced to heart level.
Does this usually affect the pressure recorded from the upper arm?

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