Blood pressure measurement occasionally shows up as an OSCE station. It’s important you’re familiar with this relatively simple procedure if you want to look slick and score well on the station. There’s often a significant number of marks available for communication skills when explaining the procedure to the patient, so don’t overlook the importance of this aspect of the station.
Gather equipment
Before you see the patient, ensure you have the appropriate equipment to perform blood pressure measurement.
1. Stethoscope
2. Sphygmomanometer:
- Ensure you have an appropriately sized cuff
- A cuff too small may overestimate BP
- A cuff too large will underestimate BP
Introduction
Introduce yourself - state your name and role
Wash hands - with the appropriate 7 stage technique
Explain the procedure:
“I will be measuring your blood pressure”
“This will involve inflating a cuff around your arm briefly and listening to your pulse with a stethoscope”
“It shouldn’t be painful, but it may feel a little uncomfortable temporarily”
Check understanding - “Does everything I’ve said make sense? Do you have any questions?”
Gain consent - “Are you happy for me to record your blood pressure?”
Attaching the cuff
Wrap the cuff around the patients upper arm
Ensure the cuff size appears appropriate
Line up the cuff marker with the brachial artery - slightly medial to the the biceps brachii tendon
Measuring the blood pressure
Estimate an approximate systolic blood pressure
1. Palpate the radial pulse
2. Inflate the cuff until you can no longer feel this pulse
3. Note the reading on the sphygmomanometer
This is a rough estimate of the Systolic Blood Pressure
Measure the blood pressure accurately
1. Place your stethoscope’s diaphragm over the brachial artery
2. Re-inflate the cuff to 20-30 mmHg above your approximate systolic BP measured earlier
3. Begin to slowly deflate the cuff - around 2-3 mmHg per second
4. Listen carefully and at some point you will begin to hear a thumping pulsatile noise:
- This is known as the 1st Korotkoff sound
- The pressure at which this 1st sound is heard is the Systolic Blood Pressure
5. Continue to deflate the cuff, continuing to listen until the sounds completely disappear:
- The point at which you hear the last sound is referred to as the 5th Korotkoff sound
- This is the Diastolic Blood Pressure
6. If the patient is noted to be hypertensive (>14o/90) or hypotensive you should re-check the blood pressure after 2 minutes to confirm this is an accurate result (also reconsider if the cuff size is appropriate)
To complete the procedure
Document the blood pressure recordings in the patients notes
Explain the need for follow up if hypertensive - BP monitoring / antihypertensives
Thank patient
Wash hands
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