Nursing OSCEs by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Oxford University Press, Incorporated
Published: 2012-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

Measuring blood pressure

Kate Devis

Chapter aims

This chapter will enable you to:

• Revise key material relating to this skill,

• Follow a step by step guide to taking blood pressure readings both manually and electronically,

• Understand how to prepare and revise for this OSCE,

• Highlight common problems at this station and how they may be avoided.

Introduction

Blood pressure measurements are one part of a circulatory assessment (Docherty and McCallum 2009). Treatments for raised or low blood pressure may be initiated or altered according to blood pressure readings; therefore correct measurement and interpretation of blood pressure is an important nursing skill.

Blood pressure should be determined using a standardized technique in order to avoid discrepancies in measurement (Torrance and Serginson 1996).

Both manual and automated sphygmomanometers may be used to monitor blood pressure. The manual auscultatory method of taking blood pressure is considered the gold standard (MRHA 2006), as automated monitoring can give false readings (Coe and Houghton 2002), and automated devices produced by different manufacturers may not give consistent figures (MRHA 2006). So, although automated sphygmomanometers are in common use within health care settings in the UK, the skill of taking blood pressure measurement manually is still required by nurses.

As a fundamental nursing skill, blood pressure measurement, using manual and automated sphygmomanometers, and interpretation of findings are often assessed via an OSCE.

Within this chapter revision of key areas will allow you to prepare thoroughly for your OSCE, in terms of practical skill and understanding of the procedure of taking blood pressure.

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