BP Cuff

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Aug 14, 2014

Good day:
While we can use the BP cuff in the skills lab (when it is open), it is recommended that students purchase their own so they can practice like crazy (good idea). What would you recommend for a reliable, but economic BP cuff (make, model, etc.)?
Thank you.

I wouldn't buy one. All future employers will provide one

Carpediem1012, BSN, RN · Aug 14, 2014

I would be interested to hear responses too. I bought one and it didn't last the term. Even brought it to clinical one day, as the LTC floor didn't have a manual one and we needed to practice manual. Totally worth the investment.

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Aug 14, 2014

Good day, ChristineN, Carpediem1012, and everyone else reading:

While I would prefer not to purchase one, a number of students already in the program stated they buy their own so they can practice, practice, practice, practice, practice. If you review https://allnurses.com/nursing-student-assistance/vitals-942167.html the OP is being told the same thing.

So if you had to buy one, one that was as economical as possible, yet reliable and good for a student, which one would you recommend?

Thank you.

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Aug 14, 2014

Buy one from someone thats deeper in to the program. I doubt they have a need for it.

lvn4me2011 · Aug 15, 2014

Welch Allyn $33-$71 amazon.com. I have had mine for two years. Love it! great brand and good quality.

cd365c · Aug 15, 2014

No, I would never think it is important to buy one. The amount of times that you use a manual blood pressure cuff is so small in any facility with all the technology. Seriously, It is just something extra you must spend money on!

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Aug 15, 2014

While there is quite a bit of technology in hospitals these days, knowing how to proficiently use a BP cuff is not an archaic thing. I did manual BP measurements for about 6 years, nearly exclusively, and I trust a good BP cuff and my ears (or fingers if need-be) over an automatic BP cuff, especially when the patient's HR is very irregular. What's more important than the number themselves is the trend.

Anyway, if you want to get lots of practice taking blood pressure readings manually, go ahead and get a BP cuff. They can be had for less than $30 and if you shop around, you should be able to find one for much less than that. The two-tube sets are the inexpensive ones and they're generally pretty good.

Just make sure that when you're practicing this skill that you're doing it the way the school wants you to do it. You can always develop your own method later. The biggest tip I can give as far as being able to hear the Korotkoff sounds reliably is to extend the elbow until it has nearly locked out and then palpate the brachial pulse and follow that as it crosses the antecubital fossa area. Place the stethoscope diaphragm right on top of where you felt that pulse right at or just superior to the AC area when it's time to start listening. Those sounds should thump at you pretty clearly.

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Aug 15, 2014

Thank you!

psu_213, BSN, RN · Aug 15, 2014

I did not buy a BP cuff. Unless you plan on spending all your at home practice time on taking BPs, I don't really think it's necessary. Make BP practice a focus of you time in the skills lab and focus on other things at home. I totally agree with a PP that there is a lot of value in learning how to take a manual BP. However, there are much more important things you will learn in nursing school--taking BPs is just a drop in the bucket.

If you still want to buy one, I like the suggestion above of buying one from someone deeper in the program--the are probably willing to let it go for a reasonable price.

idialyze, BSN, RN · Aug 15, 2014

I think you need to know how to take a manual BP, even with all the elictronic ones at our disposal. A god one can be found at Walmart for$20.

idialyze, BSN, RN · Aug 15, 2014

Oops Good! Darn you autocorrect!