blood pressure q

klone, MSN, RN · Jan 18, 2005

Was it the same arm and was it immediately after the first time? Was the person in the same position both times?

If I take blood pressure twice in a row and its really different the second time (ex) 128/82 ... 110/68) does this mean that I've done something wrong? Or is it possible for it to change that quickly?
Ginyer

ageless · Jan 18, 2005

taking a b/p repeatedly in the same arm will give an inaccurate reading because of something called vessel spasms.

LauraLou · Jan 18, 2005

I believe when you take bp, it affects the arm, so the next reading won't be as accurate. That is why you can't take bp more than twice in a row on one arm.

stn2003, RN · Jan 19, 2005

It is o.k. to take a blood pressure more than once in the same arm- in fact it is preferred that you consistently use the same arm for pressures throughout the day unless otherwise contraindicated- you just have to give the arm a couple minutes to go back to normal between blood pressures.

Taking a blood pressure on the same arm in the same position (lying, sitting, etc) should give you pressures that do not differentiate more than 10 mm Hg systolic or diastolic, unless there is some new factor in the situation (e.g. pain that is no longer tolerable, a new bout of anxiety). If your readings are significantly different without any sort of factors that would explain the difference, it may have been that the pressure was misread or that there is a factor not identified.

Ginyer · Jan 19, 2005

Thanks, Im going to ask a teacher in class tomorrow. We practiced for the first time yesterday on each other so being it was my first few times doing it I figured it was just misread...I really was having a hard time hearing that first pulse. Our lab was pretty noisy though so I think that had something to do with it.

We were told that if someone's blood pressure is really abnormal to wait 30 seconds and take it again in the same arm.

Oh well... Im sure I'll have plenty of chances to practice and get it right. Thanks again.

Ginyer

chilloutrelax · Jan 19, 2005

practice on your leg, good luck.

Altra, BSN, RN · Jan 19, 2005

Check that with your instructor -- I'd wait longer than 30 seconds to re-check -- at least a couple of minutes as was previously posted.

I had trouble hearing the sounds at first too -- I promise, it gets better! :)

Ginyer · Jan 19, 2005

Actually that was a test question Monday...how long we're supposed to wait after an abnormal reading, I answered 2 minutues but the correct answer was 30 seconds. But maybe that was supposed to be 30 seconds and then the other arm. Oh well...anyway I'll find out soon enough, I still plan on asking...off to class...

thanks,

Ginyer

stn2003, RN · Jan 19, 2005

I had that same ? on a test back when I was in nursing skills, and the answer was 30 seconds- but in reality nurses will let the arm rest for longer than that. You'll find alot of variances between what the book said/what you were tested on and what nurses do in the hospitals lol.