Accurately Measuring Blood Pressure: Factors That Contribute to False Measurements
Running head: Accurately Measuring Blood Pressure: Factors that Contribute to False Measurements
Accurately Measuring Blood Pressure: Factors that Contribute to False Measurements
Barbara U. Tomlinson
Accurately Measuring Blood Pressure: Factors that Contribute to False Measurements
Abstract
Blood pressure measurement is one of the five assessments that are essential in determining the patient’s status. Therefore, it is important to accurately measure the blood pressure to effectively provide medical treatments and nursing care plans. Unfortunately, even healthcare professionals are struggling to consistently use the correct method of measuring blood pressure. There are several factors that affect in assessing the patient’s BP. False readings can be caused by using the right equipment and knowing the proper use of it, improperly positioning the patient , and being aware of the patient’s recent activities.
Accurately Measuring Blood Pressure: Factors that Contribute to False Measurements
A patient’s blood pressure can be affected by choosing the right equipment for the patient. Using the correct size of blood pressure cuff greatly affects the accuracy of the assessment. Apparently, one size does not fit all adult patients. Using a cuff that is relatively small to the patient’s arm will result in a falsely high BP and vice versa (Tomlinson). In situations where different cuff sizes are not available, larger size cuffs are recommended to minimize the error in measuring the BP. In applying the BP cuff, it must be put directly around the patient’s bare arm over the brachial artery and not over clothing articles to prevent putting extra pressure. In other circumstances, “if the patient’s arm is too large or too short for the proper cuff fit, the patient’s sleeve cannot be moved above the elbow, or the correct size cuff is not available, the BP can be taken on the patient’s forearm (Tomlinson).” Another factor
Accurately Measuring Blood Pressure: Factors that Contribute to False Measurements
Barbara U. Tomlinson
Accurately Measuring Blood Pressure: Factors that Contribute to False Measurements
Abstract
Blood pressure measurement is one of the five assessments that are essential in determining the patient’s status. Therefore, it is important to accurately measure the blood pressure to effectively provide medical treatments and nursing care plans. Unfortunately, even healthcare professionals are struggling to consistently use the correct method of measuring blood pressure. There are several factors that affect in assessing the patient’s BP. False readings can be caused by using the right equipment and knowing the proper use of it, improperly positioning the patient , and being aware of the patient’s recent activities.
Accurately Measuring Blood Pressure: Factors that Contribute to False Measurements
A patient’s blood pressure can be affected by choosing the right equipment for the patient. Using the correct size of blood pressure cuff greatly affects the accuracy of the assessment. Apparently, one size does not fit all adult patients. Using a cuff that is relatively small to the patient’s arm will result in a falsely high BP and vice versa (Tomlinson). In situations where different cuff sizes are not available, larger size cuffs are recommended to minimize the error in measuring the BP. In applying the BP cuff, it must be put directly around the patient’s bare arm over the brachial artery and not over clothing articles to prevent putting extra pressure. In other circumstances, “if the patient’s arm is too large or too short for the proper cuff fit, the patient’s sleeve cannot be moved above the elbow, or the correct size cuff is not available, the BP can be taken on the patient’s forearm (Tomlinson).” Another factor
References: Tomlinson, B. U. (n.d.). Accurately Measuring Blood Pressure : Factors that Contribute to False Measurements . CNE Series MedSurg Nursing.