Electronic Wrist BP Cuffs

LilRedRN1973 · Nov 9, 2003

I can't help you there as I prefer doing it manually with a steth and a sphygamometer (sp?). I know others have trouble doing it this way, but I have no problem with it and have found those wrist ones to be inaccurate some of the time.

MiaLyse, APRN · Nov 9, 2003

I was thinking for those patients that are really contracted. We have a couple and to take a BP is very painful for them.

Kelly

nocngail · Nov 9, 2003

I hear what you're saying Kelly, but after using several brands of wrist cuffs, I've yet to see one that consistently gives accurate results. Maybe someone else has?

flowerchild · Nov 9, 2003

I have never seen or used one that was accurate either. Wouldn't waste my money on one.

Agnus · Nov 10, 2003

a standard anaroid cuff can be used on the forearm, if for some reason it cannot be applied to the upper arm. It really does work.

robynrn2b · Nov 10, 2003

I have never tried the forearm thing. My wrist cuff is an Omron and the one I recently bought works better than the cheaper ones. Mine was about 100.00. I have found it to be accurate....but I know other people have had problems with them.

**SKM-NURSIEPOOH, BSN, RN** · Nov 10, 2003

...and have had no problems with it. they come in handy...especially working in ltc where my patient assignment is anywhere from 25-30 patients & 3/4 of those require daily bp/pulses! i find as long as you turn the device off in between patients & have fresh batteries...there's no problems. you'll also have to position the arm slightly bent & make sure the patients are still ~ movement tend to make the cuff stop & you'll have to start again as these devices are quite sensitive.

if spending $89 - 100.00 is too much for you or if you're not able to take that brachial bp on contracted patients...then just take a mannual bp via the forearm (radial artery), thigh (popliteal artery), & calf or ankle (via posterior tibial artery).

just remember there are differences between measurement sites ~ generally, pressure taken in the upper extremities is less than the those taken in the lower extremities. you might want to do an comparsion between the upper & lower extremities at least once so that you'll have a general base. also keep in mind the size of the bp cuff! use an oversized cuff rather than an undersized on for the thigh. if your facility does not supply the oversized cuff for the thigh...then take the bp via the ankle with the normal/adult size cuff.

anyroad...good luck~ hope this helps

cheers!

moe

angelbear · Nov 10, 2003

My nursing partner and I have experimented with this. She will do the manual on one arm while I use the wrist cuff on the other arm then we switch. We have had good luck with this fairly accurate. Just make sure to keep the arm still and positioned correctly.