Read Below for Information on Blood Pressure
Palpation
- Palpation is done by placing the BP cuff over the upper arm (do not cover the joint, 1 inch above the crease of the elbow) against the skin.
- The center of the cuff should be over the brachial artery.
- Find the radial pulse on the same arm as the BP cuff.
- Inflate the cuff till you no longer feel a pulse, add 20 mmHg.
- Open the valve to release pressure slowly. Dial should drop 1 line per second (too fast or slow will compromise reading).
- Watch the needle fall on the gauge closely as the cuff deflates.
- When you feel the pulse return, note where the needle is on the gauge.
- This gives you a systolic reading (top of the wave).
Auscultation
- Place the BP cuff over the upper arm (do not cover the joint/1 inch above the crease of the elbow), and it must be against the skin.
- Locate the brachial artery just below the BP cuff
- Place the stethoscope over the brachial artery
- Inflate the cuff until you hear the pulse, then continue to inflate until you can not hear the pulse. You confirm your systolic pressure when you can not hear the pulse anymore
- Release the valve on the meter approximately .1 line per second (too fast or too slow will compromise reading)
- Listen as the needle falls on the gauge and note when the pulse starts (confirmation of your systolic reading taken through palpation) and then when you stop hearing it.
- Where the needle is on the gauge when you stop hearing the pulse is your diastolic BP.