BP

Question 1

What are the names of the smaller and larger circles of the stethoscope?

Answer 1

Bell - Smaller circle
Diaphragm - Larger circle

Only need to use diaphragm for BP auscultation.

Question 2

How to use BP cuff?

Answer 2

Placement - Wrap the cuff tightly around the upper arm. Align the arrow with the location of the brachial artery.

Place the stethoscope diaphragm in the antecubital fossa.

Question 3

Protocol - Procedure

Answer 3

1. Wrap the BP cuff tightly around the arm of a seated participant (NB: this can be placed over a thin layer of clothing if required)
2. Place the stethoscope diaphragm on the cubital fossa of the arm, where the brachial artery is located, and place the ear-pieces in your ears. This process is easier if you palpate for the brachial pulse beforehand and it is easier to hear if the stethoscope is placed on the skin.
3. Inflate the blood pressure cuff to a value of approximately 180 mmHg and then deflate slowly. NB: this part is quite fiddly and it is important that you deflate at a slow and consistent rate - around 2-5 mmHg reduction per second. If you deflate too fast, it will be very difficult to hear the sounds. If you go too slow it can be quite painful for the participant.
4. Listen for the Korotkoff sounds using the earpieces. These are soft-tapping sounds that occur due to turbulent blood flow. NB: this is also quite tricky because the sounds can have a low volume - they sound like soft tapping sounds.
5. The first soft tapping sound (or when the sounds appear) represent the SBP
6. The last soft tapping sound (or when the sounds disappear) represent the DBP
7. Remember to completely deflate the BP cuff and then remove it from the participant.

Question 4

First soft tapping sound

Answer 4

SBP

Question 5

Second(last) soft tapping sound

Answer 5

DBP

Question 6

Name of sounds you should listen for?

Answer 6

Korotkoff Sounds