How to take a blood pressure

Equipment

Stethoscope

Blood pressure cuff

Sphygmomanometer (not shown)

Cuffs

Cuffs come in different sizes. It is important to use the proper size cuff.

The cuff at the top is a thigh cuff. The cuff in the middle is an adult cuff. The cuff at the bottom is designed to fit a child.

A cuff that is too big can be wrapped several times, but one that is too small will come off easily.

The cuff is attached to a sphygmomanometer (note white dial on the middle cuff).

Most cuffs are marked with an O or an arrow. This should be placed near the artery.

Placement of cuff on arm

Blood pressure cuff properly placed on patient's arm. Cuff should fit snugly on the patient's arm.

Check to make sure you have found the artery. Notice the artery and the mark on the cuff.

Stethoscope

Note how the ear pieces slant slightly in one direction. Make sure the ear pieces on the stethoscope are point away from you when you put them on.

Place stethoscope on the artery

A Grasp the bulb so that your thumb can easily access the valve.

Turn the valve to the right to tighten it and pump up the cuff, turn it to the left to loosen it and deflate the cuff.

Sphygmomanometer

Pump up the cuff until the sphygmomanometer reads 180 to 200.

Loosen the valve to let a little of the air out.

Listen for the first heartbeat, that is the top number.

Continue to listen until there are no more heartbeats. The last beat you hear is the bottom number.

Let the air all the way out and remove the cuff.

QuickTime movies:
Equipment for taking a blood pressure reading
How to take a blood pressure reading.

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