Can't hear a blood presssure??

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I sure hope that someone can help me. We are getting tested this coming week on vital signs. Try as I might I cannot hear a blood pressure. I have no problems hearing through the stethoscope I just can't do the blood pressure. Has anyone else had this problem? Is there a trick to it that perhaps I am missing? Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks

Rebeca

RN student

I just wanted to say thanks for all the suggestions too!! I will now go in search of that family and friends while they are still "willing" participants! Thanks again!

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Hey! What I found works for me is to use the bell side (the little side) when I have one that's hard to hear. It took me forever to be able to hear a BP and one day I flipped over to the bell and walah - I could hear! Now I'm used to what I'm listening for and use the diaphragm but every now and then flip back to the bell to make sure or to verify on a faint one.

Best of luck!

Elizabeth

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Specializes in PCU, Critical Care, Observation.

Those all sound like great tips. I also have the vital signs evaluation coming up in a week & a half. We've only had one day of lab practice & all of us seemed to be clueless. We do have the temperature taking downpat though....lol.

I'm going to go buy a cuff so I can practice on people I know & feel comfortable with so that I can get used to what I need to listen for. Your tips helped tremendously. Turning the stethoscope ear pieces forward makes a big difference.

Good luck Rebecca!!!

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After finally figuring out that I needed to make sure that the ear pieces were "pointed" toward my nose, I had problems with outside noise. I practiced on people that were in an area that there was a lot of noise (TVs, roomates talking, etc) and finally got the hang of it. It really helped when I was working a trauma and EVERYONE was talking!

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I'm thinking about buying a cuff, to practice on friends/family, because I still feel self-conscious taking vitals. Anyone have any shopping recommendations?

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Specializes in MS Home Health.

Everyone has earpieces that work better for them. Try to change them to the other pair that came with them. I had a student cut the length one time and that helped.

renerian

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I love my Littman Cardio III steth !

Good Luck Rebeca !

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Rebeca,

I just bought a Littmann Classic II and DID THE EXACT SAME THING AS YOU!!! I spent some time thinking there was something wrong. :)

>

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Are you doing better? If you get a cuff don't spend a lot of money on it. Mine works fine and it was from Walgreen's.

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Just keep on practicing. It's the best way to learn. Find someone willing and keep on till you get. one day you will. there are still times when for whatever reason I can't get a BP. When i have tried three times and still no luck I ask for help.

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i had a crisis in confidence i knew how to take a manual bp but hadn't done so in a year.

when i went to do so i ouldn't hear a thing.

i had to adjust the steth by turing the medal rod against the chest piece(bell/diaphagram)

and turn the cuff back to front to prevent interference from the tubes rubbing

i practiced on me, hard to put a cuff on but doable.

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