Taking BP's - Use Diaphragm or Bell?

[j_tay1981]

I'm in nursing school and I have two textbooks - one says take a brachial BP using the bell because the Kortokof (sp?) sounds are a low sound. Another says to use the diaphragm. How do you all take a manual BP?

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

Just read up on this in a nursing journal. It said that if you can't hear the bp with the diaphragm, then flip it over and use the bell. Sound like common sense.

I have an ultrascope and just change my pressure.