Did you learn how to do a manual BP in your CNA class?

Girl Scout · Jun 3, 2009

Not knowing how to take a manual BP... bad. We are entering our 2nd week (we go 3 days a week, 5 hrs. a day) and just today started learning manual BP.

Seriously... this is one of the most basic things anyone in healthcare knows how to do. Other basic stuff like knowing when to wash your hands, wear gloves, knowing how to do CPR, knowing how to find a pulse and how to take blood pressure.

I hope your instructor reconsiders. Either that, or, you're going to have to find someone who can teach you - and I don't know what the liability is if you're taking a CNA course and have to learn part of your duties on your own time from someone outside the school.

However, I think once you grad and find a job, your supervisor will probably teach you right away once s/he finds out you didn't get taught.

ZanatuBelmont · Jun 3, 2009

I had my first CNA class yesterday and the instructor said that the facility that we will be doing our clinicals at uses the machines where you just push the button. She said because of this we won't be learning how to take manual BP's. Did anyone elses class do this? I am worried that I will get a job somewhere that only does manual BP's and I won't know how to do them.

It is very simple to take a manual BP.

The first "knocking" sound you hear is the systolic reading. The last, very faint "knocking" sound you hear is the diastolic reading.

You can also do a manual BP without a stethoscope by watching the ticker, but this tends to be less accurate. Paying close attention, the first rebound "bump" you see on the gauge is the systolic reading. The last, slight rebound "bump" you see is the diastolic reading. Like I said, taking a manual without the stethoscope is often inaccurate because throughout the entire reading you will see rebound bumps, period, unless you decompress the bladder. You'd have to REALLY know what you are looking at to get it right.

I personally dislike the electronic BP machines. Nearly each one I have used is off by several points. I prefer the manual method, very rarely will you find me using those darn machines. That's why I keep a BP cuff within reasonable access of me, including the different size bladders for different size folks.

azcna · Jun 3, 2009

You need to learn how to take manual blood pressures! Just because that facility doesn't use them doesn't mean they shouldn't teach you how! I'm sorry, but that's crap. Part of the course is learning how to do manual BP's. At the state test, if you draw BP, they won't have a handy little machine for you. In most facilities around where I live we do it the old fashion way.

mizfradd, CNA · Jun 3, 2009

OMG, yes...you will have to know how to take a bp manually!!!!

BreatheFree · Jun 4, 2009

Thanks everyone. I think I may have misunderstood her so I think we ARE going to learn it. My instructor is not always very clear on things and tends to confuse everyone in the class. However, she has been an instructor for over 10 years and says she has only had 10 people not pass the state test.

G8rBucsGirl · Jun 14, 2009

I'm taking classes now and we had to learn how to take manual BP's. Our clinical site will be at a hospital and they use the machines. Its still a good idea to learn the old fashioned way since not all facilities use machines.

tishirajan · Jun 14, 2009

I totally agree with Spidey'smom, the machines are not always to be trusted and I think it's invaluable to learn to do it manually. That's just nuts!:smackingf We had to learn to do it manually because the machines were not regularly used at that time.

nkara, CNA · Jun 14, 2009

Yes you will absolutely need to learn how to take a manual bp. I would suggest buying a better stethescope than the one at Walmart however. The cheap ones make it hard to hear the pulse. My clinicals were so loud that I couldn't hear anything no matter how many times I tried it. When I started working and had to do it for the first time I was like " oh yea.. I hear it!" :dncgbby:

mochabean · Jun 14, 2009

We learned how to maually take blood pressure at my orientation, but the place I'm at uses electrnic BP. It's convenient, but sometimes the machine doesn't function. So it's important to know manually as well. You can always go to Walgreens and get a cheap BP kit to practice with.