Help w/ taking BPs!

Try to picture and remember the lines and numbers on the cuff dial, that may help

Ok it was my very first time ever taking a BP today and I had such a hard time hearing. Is there any tips, tricks or advice you might have for me? I think I have a decent scope (Littmann Classic II SE) but had a hard time...HELP!

My first time taking bp I had the earpieces in wrong.. i felt like such and idiot!!!

Practice, Practice, Practice!!!

That's really all i can say... when i first started i couldn't hear it either but then i just practiced! and i got it eventually!!!! Good luck!

I agree ...closing your eyes helps you hear anything better. that is good for practice. also lining the ear pieces up with your jawline helps too. sound travels a bit better that way. always make sure you palpate the brachial pulse when taking a manual BP to make sure you are hitting the right spot with the scope.

Not everyone in nursing school has had any kind of previous medical experience.

If you have a hard time hearing it even with the scope shoved in your ear and turned the right way. You can look at the numbers, when the needle begins jumping that is the systolic. :)