TY - JOUR
T1 - How to take and record a manual blood pressure measurement
AU - Kingston, Liz
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 RCN Publishing Company Ltd. All rights reserved. Not to be copied, transmitted or recorded in any way, in whole or part, without prior permission of the publishers.
PY - 2025/1/8
Y1 - 2025/1/8
N2 - RATIONALE AND KEY POINTS: Accurate measurement of a patient's blood pressure (BP) is essential to identify hypotension or hypertension and to inform subsequent management and treatment decisions. The auscultatory, or manual, method remains the gold standard for non-invasive BP measurement, so it is vital that nurses are able to undertake this procedure accurately. This article explains how to take and record a manual BP measurement using an aneroid sphygmomanometer and a stethoscope. Nurses and nursing students undertaking this procedure must be equipped with the knowledge and skills to do so proficiently and work within their scope of practice. • BP measurement comprises two pressure readings, systolic and diastolic, which are measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and expressed in documentation as a 'fraction'. • Inaccurate BP measurement, whether overestimation or underestimation, can result in diagnostic errors and incorrect risk assessment and decision-making. • Various factors can influence the accuracy of BP measurement, including patient positioning, cuff size, arm position and correct use of the stethoscope. • It is vital to ensure regular maintenance and recalibration of BP measuring equipment, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, to ensure accuracy of readings. REFLECTIVE ACTIVITY: 'How to' articles can help to update your practice and ensure it remains evidence based. Apply this article to your practice. Reflect on and write a short account of: • How this article might improve your practice when taking a manual BP measurement. • How you could use this information to educate nursing students or your colleagues on the appropriate steps when taking and recording a manual BP measurement.
AB - RATIONALE AND KEY POINTS: Accurate measurement of a patient's blood pressure (BP) is essential to identify hypotension or hypertension and to inform subsequent management and treatment decisions. The auscultatory, or manual, method remains the gold standard for non-invasive BP measurement, so it is vital that nurses are able to undertake this procedure accurately. This article explains how to take and record a manual BP measurement using an aneroid sphygmomanometer and a stethoscope. Nurses and nursing students undertaking this procedure must be equipped with the knowledge and skills to do so proficiently and work within their scope of practice. • BP measurement comprises two pressure readings, systolic and diastolic, which are measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and expressed in documentation as a 'fraction'. • Inaccurate BP measurement, whether overestimation or underestimation, can result in diagnostic errors and incorrect risk assessment and decision-making. • Various factors can influence the accuracy of BP measurement, including patient positioning, cuff size, arm position and correct use of the stethoscope. • It is vital to ensure regular maintenance and recalibration of BP measuring equipment, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, to ensure accuracy of readings. REFLECTIVE ACTIVITY: 'How to' articles can help to update your practice and ensure it remains evidence based. Apply this article to your practice. Reflect on and write a short account of: • How this article might improve your practice when taking a manual BP measurement. • How you could use this information to educate nursing students or your colleagues on the appropriate steps when taking and recording a manual BP measurement.
KW - blood
KW - blood pressure
KW - blood pressure measurement
KW - clinical
KW - clinical skills
KW - nursing care
KW - observations
KW - professional
KW - vital signs
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85215145937&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.7748/ns.2024.e12247
DO - 10.7748/ns.2024.e12247
M3 - Article
C2 - 39582270
AN - SCOPUS:85215145937
SN - 2047-9018
VL - 40
SP - 50
EP - 55
JO - Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)
JF - Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)
IS - 1
ER -