Worn Out BP Cuffs

[SNgirl21, BSN]

Hi. At the facility where I'm doing my clinical experience, the automatic blood pressure cuffs all seem to have worn out velcro. Although I try, I can never seem to get a good blood pressure reading (if any at all) and the cuff just pops off. I've had to ask my instructor to help multiple times because of this, even though I know how to take a blood pressure. She seems to get it every time by just holding the cuff as it inflates, but when I try this, it never works. Even though I have a brand new manual cuff, aren't allowed to use those due to facility policy. I'm a 2nd year BSN student in a 4-year program. This is my first semester caring for patients in clinical and I was just wondering if anyone had any advice about this.

[rnhopeful82, ASN, RN]

Not allowing students to bring their own working cuffs is a weird policy but ok.... Are you able to ask your instructor in a moment of downtime to help you learn/practice how to inflate bp cuffs while holding them? Can you practice on others in your cohort? I am sure you wouldn't be the only one struggling with this. Good luck!

[JKL33]

You mention "popping" off. In my observations that is most commonly observed when a cuff of inappropriate size is used (too small).

Review any materials you have available regarding appropriate cuff size selection. I advise this because, on the chance that the wrong cuff size is being utilized, then holding it into place so it doesn't pop off is not an appropriate method for obtaining an accurate blood pressure.

You can review this document for help if your materials aren't specific enough.

One you have selected the appropriate cuff size, it still must be positioned correctly on the arm and the other principles of proper measurement (such as patient positioning) must be used.

Good luck ~

Oh - if the cuff really does look like the velcro is from the last decade, then the solution is to obtain an appropriate cuff.

[SNgirl21, BSN]

Thanks for the suggestions rnhopeful82 and JKL33. ? You're right about other students in my clinical group having difficulty as well. All of my peers I've talked to have expressed similar frustration and I even went with another girl in my group to see if the same thing happened for her, which it did. I did ask my instructor to show me how to hold the cuff and asked for advice, but I see no noticeable difference in what I'm doing from what she demonstrated. I know the cuff is placed and fits properly because we learned about cuff placement and sizes in my Health Assessment course last semester and there are markings on the inside of the cuff as well. My instructor also confirmed the velcro was the issue, but there are only 2 cuffs available for use, both very worn out. I honestly just think they need new cuffs, but I guess for now, we'll just have to work with what we have. Maybe I'll ask my instructor to watch while I practice on another student and see if she has any more pointers.