...Adult baseline observations : Blood pressure The purpose of this assignment is to reflect on a chosen experience that I have identified as requiring more knowledge to complete this skill competently. I have chosen to do my learning contract on adult base line observation – blood pressure. The reason I have chosen this skill is because my first experience of taking a blood pressure was not a positive experience and to this day I still get nervous taking someone’s blood pressure. I can do the skill confidently now but feel I need to understand the theory around it to communicate the findings with the woman. When I was first learning to take someone’s blood pressure in intensives I was put down in front of our group by a tutor. I feel this would not have happened had I had more knowledge around the theory before the class which was of my own fault as I hadn’t read the modules thoroughly. I know the normal ranges of blood pressures for adults and how to get the systolic and diastolic numbers but if I was asked by a woman what these numbers mean, I would not be able to correctly and confidently communicate these with her. Existing knowledge - What do I already know about this topic/Skill. • I have had my own blood pressure taken by my doctor many times. • I have practiced taking blood pressures in akonga and intensives • I have taken women’s blood pressure on placement and during follow throughs appointments • I have passed my practise skill sheet for Adult...
Words: 1999 - Pages: 8
...High blood pressure or also known as hypertension is one of the most common disease afflicting humans worldwide. Hypertension represents a major public health problem affecting more than one billion individuals worldwide (Faselis, Doumas, & Papademetriou, 2011).Hypertension is a significant public health problem in the United States and worldwide, primarily due to its place as a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular and kidney disease (Minor, Smith, Wofford, & IPA, 2012). High blood pressure is a major life-threatening disease of high morbidity and mortality, which affects between 10% to 40% of the general population in an age-dependent manner. High blood pressure is estimated to cause 7.5 million deaths worldwide, about 12.8% of the total of all deaths, and it accounts for 57 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYS), or 3.7% of the total DALYS (Papathanasiou et al., 2015). It is a chronic medical condition and a major risk factor to other diseases such as stroke, myocardial infarction, vascular disease and kidney disease. An elevated blood pressure is an important risk factor for premature disability and mortality and contributes to the burden of heart disease, stroke and kidney failure (Papathanasiou et al., 2015). It is a condition where the blood pressure in the arteries is elevated. It is a force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood. The heart is composed of two independent pumping systems, one on the right...
Words: 576 - Pages: 3
...RESPIRATION * Act of breathing * Supply the body with oxygen and remove carbon dioxide Types: a. External respiration – interchange of oxygen & carbon dioxide between alveoli & pulmonary blood b. Internal respiration – interchange of same gases between circulating blood & cells of body tissues VENTILATION * Movement of air in and out of the lungs Inhalation/Inspiration – intake of air into the lungs Exhalation/Expiration – breathing out or the movement of gases from the lungs to the atmosphere | Inhalation | Exhalation | Diaphragm | Contracts (flattens) | Relaxes | Sternum | Outward | Inward | Ribs | Upward & downward | Downward & inward | Lungs | Expand | Compressed | Two types of Breathing: 1. Costal/Thoracic breathing * Involves the external intercostal muscle and other accessory muscle * Observed by the movement of the chest upward and outward 2. Diaphragmatic/Abdominal breathing * Involves the contraction and relaxation of the diaphragm * Observed by the movement of the abdomen PARAMETERS OF RESPIRATION 1. Rate – normally described in breaths per minute. Normal adult: 12-20 bpm/cpm * Eupnea – normal respiration that is quiet, rhythmic, and effortless. * Tachypnea/Polypnea – rapid respiration, quick and shallow breaths (greater 20cpm) * Bradypnea – slow breathing (less than 12 bpm/cpm) 2. Depth – person’s respirations can be established by watching the movement of...
Words: 2904 - Pages: 12
...Would manual monitoring of blood pressure be more accurate than machinery monitoring in adult medical patients for detecting variations in blood pressure? Introduction Today’s health care applies evidence based practice in patient care with the purpose of easing the clinical decision making with standard practice and provide high quality care to patients. Evidence Based Practice is a problem solving method in clinical care on the basis of best available findings from patient preferences, clinical expertise and sound evidences. EBP provides best clinical decision making and better outcomes to patients, than normally designed research studies. The intention of this activity is to identify evidences for answering the research question of would manual monitoring of blood pressure be more accurate than machinery monitoring in adult medical patients for detecting variations in blood pressure? The collection of relevant information suggests that the use of manual monitoring of blood pressure helps to provide the ability to the health practitioners to offer the patient care with evidence support. It is imperative to monitor the blood pressure in every clinical setting to assess the physical condition and it is of vital importance to consider the measurements in clinical decision making (Bern et al. 2009). As shown by Heinemann et al (2008), the accuracy and the reliability of the method adopted for monitoring the blood pressure preclude the possibility of unnecessary complication...
Words: 3453 - Pages: 14
...Blood pressure cuffs: friend or foe? Walker N, Gupta R, Cheesbrough J. Source Department of Microbiology, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Preston, UK. nwalker@doctors.org.uk Abstract A study to assess the level of bacterial contamination of blood pressure cuffs in use on hospital wards was performed. Viable organisms were recovered from all the 24 cuffs sampled at a density of between 1000 and >25 000 colony-forming units/100 cm2. Potential pathogens were isolated from 14 cuffs (58%). Eleven cuffs grew a single pathogen and three cuffs grew a mixture, yielding a total of 18 isolates. Meticillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from eight (33%) cuffs, meticillin-resistant S. aureus was isolated from two (8%) cuffs and Clostridium difficile was isolated from eight (33%) cuffs. This study serves as a reminder that hands are not the only fomite to go from patient to patient on hospital wards, and that measures should be taken to reduce the risks posed by blood pressure cuffs. AANA J. 1996 Apr;64(2):141-5. Nondisposable sphygmomanometer cuffs harbor frequent bacterial colonization and significant contamination by organic and inorganic matter. Base-Smith V. Source University of Cincinnati College of Nursing and Health, Ohio, USA. Abstract In the hurried milieu of operating rooms, emergency departments, and intensive care units, contaminated sphygmomanometers (blood pressure cuffs) may not be routinely sanitized or replaced with clean...
Words: 1407 - Pages: 6
...High Blood Pressure 02/18/13 Thesis Statement: High blood pressure is considered one of the highest causes of morbidity, one of the main leading causes for cardiovascular disease, and a health risk factor. Introduction: I. Have you ever known anyone with high blood pressure? II. High Blood Pressure (HBP) is a serious medical condition that can lead to heart failure, stroke, and other health problems. III. Blood pressure is measured as systolic and diastolic pressures. IV. A healthy lifestyle will help prevent the rise in (HBP). The heart pumps blood into the arteries and the force of the blood is pushing against blood vessel walls is called blood pressure. I. High blood pressure was higher among low educated people on comparing to higher educated people. A. About 1 in 3 adults in the United Sates has HBP. B. You can have HBP for years without even knowing it. C. HBP usually has no signs or symptoms. II. High blood pressure is considered one of the main risk factors of cardiovascular disease. A. Individuals who have an elevated blood pressure are suspect to have a heart attack. B. An estimated 1 in 3 women has high blood pressure. C. In terms of disability, high blood pressure has come in as third. D. It also contributes to 54% of stroke cases. E. HBP is responsible for 50% of heart failure. III. “Systolic” refers to blood pressure when the heart beats while pumping blood. ‘Diastolic” refers...
Words: 405 - Pages: 2
...High Blood Pressure (HBP) High blood pressure (HBP) is a condition that millions of people of all ethnic groups are affected by. High blood pressure is an overlooked check by people until told by a medical professional. People are not aware of how high blood pressure affects the body, how it is measured, what the symptoms are of high blood pressure, and what people/ethnic groups are affected by high blood pressure more than another. Recent research has shown that under diagnosed high blood pressures affects millions and millions of people ranging from teenagers to the elderly. High blood pressure is a condition that has affected many lives, but many people do not know what high blood pressure is. (“Merriam-webster Dictionary”, 2012) High blood pressure is defined as an “abnormal elevated blood pressure especially of the arteries.” Also know as hypertension. One has to know what high blood pressure is in order to combat it. (Cunha 2012) High blood pressure is where the arteries pump the blood to and from the heart is under high pressure, which in turns makes the heart work harder to get blood throughout the body. High blood pressure is not caused by emotional stress or tension, but stress and tension may cause your blood pressure to rise. To know if a blood pressure is normal or high, one will need to know what numbers to look for. (Cunha 2012) Normal blood pressure for a person is when the systolic pressure is below 120 and the diastolic pressure is less than 80....
Words: 1271 - Pages: 6
...106 12/10/2013 How to Lower High Blood Pressure Alfred Guerrero American Intercontinental University Abstract High blood pressure can lead to other health problems if it goes uncontrolled. This article explains what blood pressure is in order to offer an understanding of high blood pressure. The long-term detrimental effects of high blood pressure or “hypertension” are discussed. Ways to lowering blood pressure are offered from a nurse’s perspective and experience along with suggested lifestyle changes. Keywords: blood pressure, systolic, diastolic, hypertension, smoking, overweight, anti-hypertensives, BMI What is Blood Pressure? Blood pressure is the measured as the force of blood that pumps in the arteries. It is measured in two numbers such as 120/80, 110/60, 118/70, etc. The top number is referred to the systolic blood pressure and the bottom number is referred to as the diastolic blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure is the action of the heart as it pumps blood throughout the body. Diastolic blood pressure is the heart at its relaxed state. Normal blood pressure is 120/80. Anything above that is referred to high blood pressure or hypertension. High blood pressure is divided into two stages. What is Hypertension? Hypertension (in medical terms) or high blood pressure is persistent elevated pressure on the walls of the arteries. There are two stages depending on the numbers obtained from a blood pressure reading. Pre-Hypertension is a reading...
Words: 1154 - Pages: 5
...to our blood pressure levels. While this probably doesn’t seem like such a big deal at first glance, undetected high blood pressure can have disastrous results. Many who suffer from high blood pressure visit their doctor on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis to have their blood pressure taken and ensure everything is running smoothly. While consulting a medical professional is certainly the number one way to stay on top of things, it is advisable to purchase a home blood pressure monitor so you can keep track of your BP every day. Of course, finding the right blood pressure monitor for you might be a little...
Words: 1270 - Pages: 6
...Hypertension also is known as High Blood Pressure is a chronic disease where the pressure of the blood in the arteries of the heart is continually elevated. Hypertension begins when the blood in the small vessels (arteries) in the body become narrow and causes the blood in those vessels to pressurize against the walls of the arteries. It causes the heart to work harder to keep up with the pressure and the heart to become weaker over time. Over time the weak heart can cause trouble to the other organs such as the brain, eyes or kidneys. Hypertension can be started due to a disease in the kidneys in some people. The normal rating of the blood pressure can be above 120 over 80 and less than 140 over 90. Hypertension can be a life-threatening...
Words: 793 - Pages: 4
...It is hypothesized that the systolic blood pressure measured by the cardiac microphone, and by the finger pulse transducer will be significantly lower when the arm is raised above the head, compared to when the arm is at heart level and below the heart level, and the mean arterial pressure (MAP) determined from the calf will be significantly lower when the subjects are laying down compared to when they are standing up. Rationale: Gravity plays a large role in blood flow. This gravitational pull that directly affects blood is referred to as “hydrostatic pressure.” Gravity has a greater impact on blood flow in specific parts of the body, dependent upon location. The hydrostatic pressure is higher in lower limbs (or limbs located below the...
Words: 433 - Pages: 2
...Blood pressure regulation and changes occurring after increase in blood pressure Each time the heart pumps, it sends blood all over the body to supply organs and tissues with oxygen and nutrients. The strength of the force created as the heart pumps blood into the vessels together with the vessels’ resistance to the blood flow is defined as the body’s blood pressure (Darovic, 2002). A normal range blood pressure (BP) must be between 100-130mmHg systolic (when the heart is beating) and 60-90mmHg diastolic pressure (between heart beats) (Sherwood, 1997). Many factors can change blood pressure, including exercise and diet. The regulation of BP within the body is tightly maintained by nerves, hormones and renal control in relation to three factors: cardiac output, peripheral resistance and blood volume. However, malfunction of the controlling mechanisms can cause abnormalities such as hypertension that could have dangerous outcomes such as stroke or heart failure. The body contains physiological mechanisms that work to precisely control the daily BP of an individual (Guyenet, 2006). Cardiac output (CO) is the amount of blood pumped by the ventricles per minute; it will be determined by the amount of blood ejected from the ventricles each heart beat (stroke volume) and the number of beats per minute (heart rate) (Sherwood, 1997). CO is one of the most important contributors to blood pressure. The capacity of the blood vessels to dilate and constrict will influence their resistance...
Words: 1263 - Pages: 6
...Introduction Blood pressure is the pressure exerted by the circulating blood upon the walls of the arteries. Blood pressure is directly proportional to the volume of the blood within the cardiovascular system. Along with age, gender, medications, disease, and weight; Blood pressure varies. To measure a person blood pressure, there are two main types: Venous and Arterial blood pressure. Venous blood pressure is the vascular pressure in a vein or in the atria of the heart. The pressure is steady and changes very little during a cardiac cycle. It is much less than the arterial pressure with the common values of 5mmhg in the right atrium and 8mmhg in the left atrium. Arterial blood pressure is the pressure exerted by...
Words: 1200 - Pages: 5
...Home Blood Pressure Monitoring NUR 598 January 13, 2014 Clinic and Home Blood Pressure Monitoring Hypertension has been identified as one of the most common non-communicable disease among veterans and the community. Many people have been affected with complications from acquiring uncontrolled hypertension. According to Crabtree, Stuart-Shor, & McAllister (2013), “A collection of data from 2007-2010 indicated that 33% of adults 20 and older, an estimated 78 million in the United States have hypertension.” The American Heart Association also listed recommendations for blood pressure monitoring for blood pressure measurement accuracy. As more people have elevated blood pressure, nurses are taking notice of this problem and have adopted alternative methods of ensuring patient receives quality care in achieving healthy blood pressure. Problem Identification A number of patients have been presented at the clinic with high blood pressure reading thus placing these patients at risk of cardiovascular problems. In an effort to develop programs to help promote healthy blood pressure re results, the health clinic developed different strategies to help patient monitor their blood pressure. The first strategy requires the patient to conduct home self-monitoring of blood pressure on a daily basis and record the results for presentation to the clinic during their scheduled appointments. The second strategy consists of nurses scheduling these patients for blood pressure monitoring...
Words: 607 - Pages: 3
...Silent Killer | High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) | The Silent Killer | High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) | What Is High Blood Pressure? Blood pressure is the measurement of force that blood applies against the walls of your arteries. Blood pressure tends to rise and fall regularly throughout the day, but if it remains high, you have high blood pressure. High blood pressure is also referred to as Hypertension. Damage can occur to blood vessels, the heart, and the kidneys when blood pressure is high. This can lead to more serious conditions such as: heart attacks, strokes, and other problems. Hypertension is often considered “the silent killer” because there are typically no symptoms present while damage is occurring. Your blood pressure consists of two numbers, systolic and diastolic, and is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Someone with a systolic pressure of 120 and a diastolic pressure of 80 has a blood pressure of 120/80, or “120 over 80” (U.S. PSTF, 2007). Note: * The systolic number shows how hard the blood pushes when the heart is pumping. * The diastolic number shows how hard the blood pushes when the heart is relaxed and filling with blood (between heartbeats). An ideal blood pressure for an adult is less than 120/80. Hypertension is 140/90 or higher. Many people fall somewhere in the middle, this is known as prehypertension. Individuals with prehypertension need to make lifestyle changes to bring their blood pressure down to prevent or...
Words: 1055 - Pages: 5
