Need help on blood pressure skill

[AllieRat]

We had our vital signs clinical today I could get everything but the freaking BP. I could do the technical part (putting on cuff, positioning stetho, palpating for brachial pulse) and according to my instructor I had that part down pat but I'm having a hard time hearing the sounds. We did a brief video before starting so we'd know what the sounds were and I managed to get all of those right. Is there a trick to placement to hear the sounds and or any special tricks to the cuff? I'm having a hard time getting it to deflate just right either I'm doing it too slowly or too fast. I felt like such a failure since out of our group of eight I was the only one who had issues. My instructor is confident that I just need practice its just so frustrating

[eandgsma]

I am having the same problem! Although, I'm trying it on my little kids right now until my DH gets home :) I can't hear it on them but I think its because the cuff is too big. They are only 8 and 6. I tried to do my own and I kind of got it. I at least heard the sounds but I didn't get the reading. So, how do you adjust how fast or slow it goes, by the knob that releases the air right? And you won't do the reading wrong by releasing it right? I just got my own cuff today so I was a bit confused Its only day 2 for me though!

Nyree

[BoonersmomRN]

You won't get a right reading on your kids arm because, you're right, they are too small. You adjust the air by the knob- just fiddle with it until you get it to where it drops but not extremely fast. It took me about a week to get it down pat- good luck!.

[genhen]

Quote by Allen Iverson: "It's just practice".

I went through the same thing. For me, getting the gauge to slow down at the right speed while deflating was huge. Also, remove any excess noise. Turn TV off, close door to room, tell fellow students to shut it, etc. You'll get it.

If you have a skills lab, practice....practice.....and then practice some more

Genhen

2nd Semester Student

[mc16271]

I agree with Rosa2little. Daytonite, you are the best. You always post good and helpful answers and I can tell you don't get bothered by our "newbie" questions. Thank you for always being "there" for us, the ones starting this new wonderful and sometimes complicated career!

[JomoNurse]

cheat and look at the nanometer. yes, yes, yes, it's not fail proof and it's not the most accurate and yada yada yada. but it'll pass you for your skills checkoff, which matters the most at this point.

[shrimpchips, LPN]

tap the diaphram of the stethoscope to make sure its working. Good luck!

:chuckle I have done that before! Not with BP's but while listening for bowel sounds...as I was listening to the quadrants I couldn't hear a THING. I kept listening and listening and I had a feeling that the pt's bowel sounds were still normoactive.....lo and behold I checked my stethoscope and sure enough, it turned to the bell side but I was using the diaphragm! Silly me :)