Palpating blood pressures?

[Duflinkka]

Hello all!

Okay, so yesterday my friend was orienting a new nurse. She asked if VS were completed for one particular resident. This client's BPs are always low, as in 90/60 for example, and they can be very difficult to hear. The new nurse replied that she had "palpated the blood pressure." No scope, no cuff. My question is this: Has anyone else ever heard of palpating a BP? I know you can somewhat palpate the brachial artery to properly place the scope, but I have never hear of anyone having this skill.

[snowfreeze, BSN, RN]

I sure got my numbers wrong, sorry

[ERnewbieRN, BSN, RN]

This thread is really helpful! As a still relatively new ER nurse (only 8 months so far!), I often have wondered what "90/palp" means when EMS is giving report. I never knew about the other rules of thumb, either. Good stuff!

[kmg656]

When I took an EMT class, we were taught how to palpate blood pressure without a cuff.