Blood Pressure -- when to monitor

[onthemark]

I work at a nursing home and want to make sure I'm monitoring blood pressure on those needing it. In addition to those on BP meds, who else should be monitored? I'm guessing new admits, but who else?

Also, do you suggest I flip through the MAR at the beginning of the shift to see who should have their BP checked, and then check all their blood pressures before beginning the med pass? I feel this might be more efficient time-wise than taking their BP during the med pass but it's probably really better to take their BP just previous to giving them their meds.

Any suggestions you have will be appreciated. I feel like I get to work and quickly become so involved with the med paass that I forget about taking their blood pressures, and I know this isn't good. Again, thanks for any suggestions you might have.

[clc/rn/wi]

I work at a nursing home and want to make sure I'm monitoring blood pressure on those needing it. In addition to those on BP meds, who else should be monitored? I'm guessing new admits, but who else?

Also, do you suggest I flip through the MAR at the beginning of the shift to see who should have their BP checked, and then check all their blood pressures before beginning the med pass? I feel this might be more efficient time-wise than taking their BP during the med pass but it's probably really better to take their BP just previous to giving them their meds.

Any suggestions you have will be appreciated. I feel like I get to work and quickly become so involved with the med paass that I forget about taking their blood pressures, and I know this isn't good. Again, thanks for any suggestions you might have.

I would think working in a nursing home where the majority of your residents whom are all older have been on these meds for a long period of time and are otherwise stable. Missing or delaying their meds might be worse. My thought is I would check bp's on someone who had a recent change in there bp meds whether increase or decrease or if a new one was added or d/c'd, and on new admits whom you dont know their baseline. Otherwise any change in condition which would require more of an assessment and a full set of vitals. In my experience with nursing home pt's is most have bp's taken weekly or monthly.

Working in a nursing home is not like working on a med/surg floor. Working in a hospital your pt's are acutely ill and have more frequent changes in condition.

[onthemark]

Thank you clc/rn/wi. You explanation helps me feel a little more relaxed about it.