Tried 3 cuffs several times and couldn't get BP reading!

Nursing Students Student Assist

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I had no problem in CNA class getting manual blood pressure readings and practiced at home. I just started a new job and am having a big problem with BPs now. The first two nights I was just off. The next two nights I pumped the bulb but the needle on the sphygmomanometer hardly moved up. I know I had the valve closed! At first I thought I wasn't tightening the valve right. Then I thought I didn't have the cuff on tight enough. I only got it to work once but tried several times with 3 different sphygmomanometers. It must be me!!!

I was so nervouse I forgot my sphygmomanometer at work. I'll practice tomorrow as soon as I get a new one but I thought I'd ask around if anyone else has ever had this happen.

I feel like such a dunce!

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I was turning the knob the wrong way! duh... (smacking myself in the head). Must remember...righty tighty and leftie loosie.

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Glad to see you got that worked out. I only practiced this in Anatomy lab and was all thumbs. Im not very good at it.

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Anne,

I was all thumbs too. I hope others can learn from my mistake. It was just because I was nervous, I think. Live and learn, right? Good luck to you in classes.

Diane

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Specializes in Management, Emergency, Psych, Med Surg.

1. Are you sure that you have a properly working cuff?

2. Are you palpating for the artery before placing your stethoscope over the area?

3. Are you sure that you have the diaphragm of the stethoscope turned the correct way... that your not using the bell of the stethoscope?

4. How is your hearing? I have an amplified stethoscope that I had to get due to hearing loss.

5. Did you try both arms?

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1. Are you sure that you have a properly working cuff?

2. Are you palpating for the artery before placing your stethoscope over the area?

3. Are you sure that you have the diaphragm of the stethoscope turned the correct way... that your not using the bell of the stethoscope?

4. How is your hearing? I have an amplified stethoscope that I had to get due to hearing loss.

5. Did you try both arms?

Yes to 1-3 and 5. 4. My hearing is okay.

(as per second post) I was turning the knob on the bulb the wrong way. I guess my first time on the flloor I was nervous because that was such a silly mistake.

Thanks for writing.

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Specializes in Emergency.
I was turning the knob the wrong way! duh... (smacking myself in the head). Must remember...righty tighty and leftie loosie.

Haha! That'll do it! And now you'll never forget ever again!

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