Measuring and recording blood pressure
Intended for healthcare professionals
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Measuring and recording blood pressure

Rosemary Cook Team Leader, Primary Care Development, North Staffordshire Health Authority

This article describes the factors which affect blood pressure readings and the recommended techniques for measuring and recording blood pressure. It relates to UKCC Professional Development categories: Care enhancement and Reducing Risk

Aim and intended learning outcomes

The aim of this article is to review the recommended techniques for the routine measurement of blood pressure in adults using a mercury sphygmomanometer, and to discuss the importance of accurate measurement and recording. After reading this, the nurse should be able to:

List a range of valid reasons for recording a person's blood pressure

Understand the physiological mechanisms which maintain blood pressure

Discuss external factors which may influence an individual's blood pressure reading

Describe recommended techniques for the measurement of blood pressure in adults, using a mercury sphygmomanometer

Identify recommended user checks and maintenance schedules for mercury sphygmomanometers.

Nursing Standard. 11, 7, 51-55. doi: 10.7748/ns.11.7.51.s54

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