BP (infants)

[mlauren]

My book says that infant BP should be taken manually, but my instructors say it can be done either way. SO my question is what is your hospitals policy? I'm just trying to figure out which way is considered more accurate. Oh, and also the book says that the cuff should be placed on the thigh and my instructor said that is never done?? Thanks for any help!

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

It is difficult to use automatic B/P cuff's on infants because they flail their arms and legs around making it almost impossible for the cuff to pick up reading...yes the thigh is used in infants for B/P readings. But you are in school...check with your instructors and your book

[mlauren]

Ok, see I had read that it was best to do it manually, but in orientation the other day our instructor was showing us the different colored tubing for BP and baby blue was used for infants. I wonder why they take them on the ankle there. I'm not even sure how to do that, so I'm a bit nervous. Thanks for responding though. Still curious as to what the rationale is for that

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

Your book might say you can do it manually, but in all my years of peds I never saw anyone try to take a manual on an infant. Typically the thigh or upper arm is used, I tend to prefer the thigh as I find it easier to hold still.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

I've been a pediatric nurse for 6 years and have never done an infant BP on the thigh. Arm or ankle. In my current job (peds VNA), I do manual BPs on infants for whom it is indicated (cardiac or children on certain medications) only because I do not have an automated cuff. Getting a manual BP on an infant is extremely difficult.