13/06/2020
Introduce yourself to the patient.
► Explain the procedure and ask for his consent to carry it out.
► Tell him that he might feel some discomfort as the cuff is inflated, and that the blood pressure measurement may have to be repeated.
The procedure
► Position the patient's right arm so that it is horizontal at the level of the midsternum.
► Place the vertical column so that it is at eye level.
► locate the brachial artery at about 2cm above the antecubital fossa.
► Select an appropriately sized cuff and apply it to the arm, ensuring that it fils securely.
► Inflate the cuff to 20-30 mmHg more than the estimated systolic blood pressure. You can estimate the systolic blood pressure by palpating the brachial or radial artery pulse and inflating the cuff until you can no longer feel it.
► Place the stethoscope over the brachial artery pulse, ensuring that it does not touch the cuff.
► Reduce the pressure in the cuff at a rate of 2-3 mmHg.
The first consistent Korotkov sounds indicate the systolic blood pressure.
The muffling and disappearance of the Korotkov sounds indicate the diastotic blood pressure.
► Record the blood pressure as the systolic reading over the diastolic reading. Do not altempt to "round off" your readings; to an examiner's ear, 143/88 usually rings more true than 140/90.
► If the blood pressure is higher than 140/90, indicate that you might take a second reading after giving the patient a one minute rest.

Note
If the patient has a history of postural hypotension,you must also record the standing blood pressure.
After the procedure
► Ensure that the patient is comfortable.
► Tell the patient his blood pressure and explain its significance. Hypertension can only be confirmed through several blood pressure measurements taken over time.
► Thank the patient.
