VITAL SIGNS LESSON (All Classes) Part 1 Blood Pressure

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? ? are measurable indicators of the body’s essential functions.

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Avoid caffeine, exercise, smoking, or energy drinks for at least 30 minutes prior because all of these activities may ? blood pressure.

Multiple Choice

Do NOT take the blood pressure on an arm or side with all EXCEPT which of the following?

• IV line, castor recent trauma

• Site used for dialysis.

  
  

• freckles or bruises

• Mastectomy or surgery on the breast

• Paralysis due to stroke

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is not a step to take an accurate blood pressure?

• Choose the correct cuff size

• Line the cuff marker up with the brachial artery.

• Make sure manometer is properly calibrated (reads “0” when no air is in cuff). 

  
  

• Place the cuff on bare skin, not over clothing.

• Position the cuff 2 inches below the elbow crease.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a step to take to obtain an accurate blood pressure?

• Support arm at heart level

• Have the patient empty their bladder.

• Drink 32 oz of water 10 minutes before

• Avoid caffeine, exercise, smoking, or energy drinks for at least 30 minutes prior.

• Have sit in a chair with back supported and feet flat on the floor.

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When taking a blood pressure, place the ? over the ? artery.

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The BP cuff should usually be inflated to ?–? mmHg unless patient is known hypertensive, then adjust as needed.

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Slowly deflate at ?–? mmHg per second.

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Whether taking a blood pressure measurement either manually or via an electronic device, if you are not confident in your results, or if the results are outside the normal limits, have the resident rest their arm for about 5 ? and then ? the measurement.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a symptom of a hypertensive emergency?

• Dizziness without other symptoms

• change in vision or difficulty speaking

• back pain, numbness, weakness,

• shortness of breath

• chest pain

Match

Match the following blood pressures with their category.

• Normal

• Elevated

• Stage 1 hypertension

• Stage 2 hypertension

• Severe hypertension

Less than 120 and less than 80

120-129 and less than 80

130-139 or 80-89

140 or higher or 90 or higher

Higher than 180 and/or higher than 120

• Less than 120 and less than 80

• 120-129 and less than 80

• 130-139 or 80-89

• 140 or higher or 90 or higher

• Higher than 180 and/or higher than 120

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Systolic Blood pressure less than ? mmHg cannot sustain life.

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Blood pressure that is too low; any measurement lower than 90/60 mmHg is called:

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Symptoms of ? are weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting. 

Match

Match the following

• -Excitement

  -Anxiety

  -Nervous tension

  -Exercise

  -Eating

  -Pain

  -Obesity

  -Stimulant drugs

  
  

• -Rest/Sleep

  -Depressant Drugs

  -Shock

  -Dehydration

  -Hemorrhage (severe bleeding)

  -Fasting (Not eating)

  
  

• may indicate: Weak heart pumping or heart failure, blood loss or shock, very narrow (stenotic) heart valves, especially the aortic valve. It suggests the heart is not pushing blood forcefully.

  
  

• may indicate: Stiff or hardened arteries, high stroke risk, aortic regurgitation (leaky valve), hyperthyroidism, increased stress on the heart. Higher pulse pressure means the heart is working harder with each beat.

  
  

Increase BP

Decrease BP:

Low Pulse Pressure

High Pulse Pressure

• Increase BP

• Decrease BP:

• Low Pulse Pressure

• High Pulse Pressure

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is/are true regarding pulse pressure?

• the average range is 30-50 mmHg

• helps indicate how well your heart and arteries are working

• is the difference between systolic and diastolic pressures

• all of these

• none of these

Multiple Choice

When taking a blood pressure, do NOT use an arm if the patient has all but which of the following?

• Paralysis or weakness from stroke or lymphedema

• Recent surgery on that arm or breast surgery (like a mastectomy-breast removal or lymph node removal)

• Freckles or moles

• An IV line, saline lock, a dialysis fistula or shunt

• A cast, splint, or bulky bandage an Injury, pain, swelling, bruising, burns, or infection