How to Properly Assess a Patient's Brachial Artery Blood Pressure
What nursing actions are performed correctly when assessing a patient's brachial artery blood pressure?
- The nurse centers the bladder of the cuff over the brachial artery about midway on the arm.
- The nurse places the cuff over the patient's bulky clothing and fastens it snugly.
- The nurse notes the point on the gauge at which the first faint but clear sound appears and increases in intensity as the diastolic pressure.
- The nurse repeats any suspicious reading before one minute has passed since the last reading.
- The nurse has the patient lying or sitting down with the forearm supported at the level of the heart and the palm of the hand upward.
- The nurse wraps the cuff around the arm smoothly and snugly and fastens it.
Answer:
The nurse should center the bladder of the cuff over the brachial artery and have the patient in the correct position when assessing brachial artery blood pressure.
Two nursing actions that are performed correctly in assessing a patient's brachial artery blood pressure are:
1. The nurse centers the bladder of the cuff over the brachial artery about midway on the arm: This action ensures proper placement of the cuff over the artery for accurate measurement.
2. The nurse has the patient lying or sitting down with the forearm supported at the level of the heart and the palm of the hand upward: This position helps in obtaining an accurate blood pressure reading.
These actions are essential in ensuring the accuracy of brachial artery blood pressure assessment, which is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment of patients.