L.7

Question 1

What is the difference between systolic vs diastolic pressure?

Answer 1

• systolic = highest pressure in the cycle which results from the max contraction of the heart
• diastolic = minimum pressure which results from the relaxation of the heart

Question 2

What is the normal blood pressure range?

Answer 2

• it various between 80 mmHg (diastole) and 120 mmHg (systole)

Question 3

What is sphygmomanometer?

Answer 3

• a device used to measure arterial blood pressure by observing the effect of applying an external pressure on the circulation system

Question 4

Describe the structure of the sphygmomanometer.

Answer 4

• it has an inflatable cuff which is connected to the manometer and a small hand pump which is used to inflate the cuff

Question 5

What does the manometer measure?

Answer 5

• the pressure produced by the cuff as it is inflated

Question 6

Where is the cuffed placed?

Answer 6

• on the upper arm so that it covers the brachial artery (which is an artery that is easy to compress bc of the presence of a single bone behind it)

Question 7

The cuff is inflated to what pressure?

Answer 7

• pressure large enough to compress the artery so that it is completely closed (greater that systolic pressure)
• this will prevent blood flow through the artery & can be determined by listening for lack of blood flow sounds w/ a stethescope

Question 8

The cuff pressure is released slowly until…

Answer 8

It is just less than the systolic pressure