BLOOD PRESSURE

MEASUREMENT

Clinical Skill Training

Undergraduate Program
Faculty of Medicine Universitas Padjadjaran
2011
 OBJECTIVE
• The student will be able to
perform blood pressure
measurement in adult patient.
 DEFINITION
• Blood pressure is the force of the
blood pushing against the walls
of the arteries.
 IMPORTANCE
• The higher the blood pressure the
greater the risk of developing
narrowed arteries which can lead
to heart problems, kidney
disease, etc.
 EQUIPMENT
• Stethoscope
• Sphygmomanometer
PROCEDURE
 1. Preparation
• The patient is not in an exhaustion and
after a rest of approximately 5 minutes.
• Instruct the patient to avoid smoking or
drinking caffeinated beverage 30
minutes before the measurement.
• The arm selected should be
resting and free of the clothing.
 2. Explain the device of the
measurement
• Sphygmomanometer
- inflatable pocket (bladder)
- manometer

• Stethoscope
- bell
- diaphragm
- tubing
- earpieces
 Sphygmomanometer

Aneroid S.
Mercury S.
Digital S.
Stethoscope
 3. Technique
• Position of the arm
• Center the inflatable pocket
over the brachial artery
 3. Technique (cont...)
• Estimate the systolic pressure by
palpation
• Read this pressure on the
manometer and add 30 mmHg to it
• Use this sum as the target for
subsequent inflation
 3. Technique (cont...)
• Deflate the cuff slowly and wait 15 to
30 seconds
• Place the bell of the stethoscope
lightly over the brachial artery
• Inflate the cuff again to level just
determined
 3. Technique (cont...)
• Note the level at which you hear the
first clear tapping sound
(The SYSTOLIC Blood Pressure)

• Note the DIASTOLIC blood pressure

 3. Technique (cont...)
• Wait 2 or more minutes and repeat
the measurement. Average your
readings
Korotkoff Sound
 4. Conclude the result
Blood Pressure Classification
Category Systolic (mm Diastolic (mm
Hg) Hg)
Normal < 120 < 80
Prehypertensio 120 – 139 80 – 89
n
Hypertension
Stage 1 140 – 159 90 - 99
Stage 2 > 160 > 100

(JNC VII 2003)

Thank you