Measure and record manual blood pressure

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1. Explain the task clearly and at an unhurried pace, facing the client whenever possible.
2. Clean the stethoscope earpieces and bell or diaphragm with alcohol before use.
3. Expose the upper arm and position it with the palm facing upward.
4. Locate the brachial artery by touch at the inner elbow.
5. Fit the cuff snugly around the upper arm with its marker over the brachial artery.
6. Place the earpieces in your ears and position the bell or diaphragm at the brachial artery.
7. For this test scenario, inflate to 160–180 mmHg. If a beat is heard immediately as you start releasing pressure, deflate fully and reinflate to no more than 200 mmHg.
8. Release cuff pressure slowly, noting the first sound for systolic and the final sound for diastolic pressure; when rounding is necessary, round upward to the next 2 mmHg.
9. Take the cuff off the arm.
10. Leave the call device in reach.
11. Wash your hands before documenting.
12. Record both pressures obtained with the cuff and stethoscope, each within 8 mmHg of the evaluator’s reading.Critical · source marked