Feeling Inadequate Over BP Reading

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Ever feel inadequate over something that should be so simple? Well, I've been out of school for a little over a year and I currently work at a health clinic. I'm fairly new there and am coming from an assisted living facility. Last week wasnt the best for me and being on a busy unit while being new with little guidance is stressful. Lately, I've been having trouble hearing blood pressures and I feel inadequate because of all things, I should have that one down. I can't seem to hear it and have someone double check. When I speak with the doctors about different BP readings, I feel extremely embarrassed. We all start from somewhere but I feel as if I should not even be having difficulty with such a miniscule thing.

I'm dreading work for such simple reasons but if I can't perform simple duties, I question my abilities as a nurse. What a feeling.

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

do you have quality stethoscope ,are the ear pieces facing forward as they should, are you using a calibrated, (correct size cuff for the extremity you are checking the bp on?)

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do you have quality stethoscope ,are the ear pieces facing forward as they should, are you using a calibrated, (correct size cuff for the extremity you are checking the bp on?)

In addition to what sallyrnrrt said, are you correctly positioning the stethoscope in the AC below the cuff? Some people do have fainter Korotkoff sounds, so having a high quality stethoscope will set you up for success. I use a Littman Master Cardiology at work, which is obviously overkill for listening to BP sounds. Also, is your stethoscope one that has a separate bell and a diaphragm? Make sure that the correct side is active by scratching the diaphragm with your finger to make sure you hear something. Otherwise twist the chest piece 180* to switch between the bell and the diaphragm.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Be sure to rule out any organic issues - hearing loss can be unpredictable. If all else fails, there are technologically enhanced steths that amplify sounds. I admire your conscientiousness.. it's becoming an increasingly rare commodity.

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Thank you all for your words of wisdom. I had no issues yesterday so hopefully that remains an occurring theme!

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Specializes in ER/Emergency Behavioral Health....

I agree with making sure you have a decent stethoscope.

Also, make sure that it is open. Some stethoscopes twist into a closed position and you can't hear anything. If it is a dual head stethoscope, it may be open on the side you aren't using.

One of my classmates had that problem. It was a simple fix and he could hear it again.

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

yea i over kill with a master cardiology, & cardiology three at my clinic, i can always break out my old "tripple head harvey tycos"..........those scopes make a great personal defense weapon in isolated parking lots ;)............any one remember bruise their lower jaw during CPR, with one of those triple heads around their neck? :roflmao:

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