Blood PRessure question

[Michellebr]

I need a clarificatin on taking blood pressures with LONG cuffs.

Are these the same type of cuffs for obese people?

The hospital where I work has LONG cuffs in every room.

I am wondering if I am supposed to switch the cuff if the patient is

average or smaller size arm?

Confused if LONG is the same as LARGE......

[NurseCherlove]

I need a clarificatin on taking blood pressures with LONG cuffs.

Are these the same type of cuffs for obese people?

The hospital where I work has LONG cuffs in every room.

I am wondering if I am supposed to switch the cuff if the patient is

average or smaller size arm?

Confused if LONG is the same as LARGE......

Hmm. I was taught that you chose the size of the cuff by the width of the cuff, not the length. It needs to be like 2/3 of the arm circumferentially or something like that.

Perhaps this length is the standard for that manufacturer and somehow it works like a regular cuff using their sphignometer (sp.). Just guessing though.

[ann945n, RN]

If the cuff is too big on the arm you will get a false low reading and if the cuff is too small on the arm you will get a false high reading. Switch the cuff to fit the arm size.