General Nursing (RGN)
Checking of Blood Pressure
Measurement and documentation of arterial blood pressure using an appropriate sphygmomanometer and cuff.
Purpose
- Measure systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
- Monitor cardiovascular status.
- Identify abnormal blood pressure readings.
- Monitor response to treatment.
Indications
- Routine monitoring of vital signs.
- Assessment of suspected hypertension or hypotension.
- Monitoring response to treatment.
- Patients requiring regular blood pressure monitoring.
Equipment
- Sphygmomanometer (aneroid/digital/mercury)
- Stethoscope
- Vital signs chart (Manual or electronic)
- Pen
- Alcohol swabs
Procedure steps
- Explain procedure to patient.
- Perform hand hygiene.
- Position patient comfortably with arm supported at heart level.
- Expose the arm ensuring clothing does not constrict.
- Select appropriate cuff size and apply snugly around upper arm, about 2-3cm above antecubital fossa.
- Palpate brachial artery.
- Place stethoscope over brachial artery.
- Close the valve.
- Inflate cuff to about 30mmHg above point where pulse disappears.
- Slowly release valve.
- Note first sound as systolic pressure.
- Note disappearance of sound as diastolic pressure.
- Deflate cuff completely and remove.
- Record reading with date and time.
- Perform hand hygiene.
- Clean stethoscope and equipment.
- Report abnormal readings.
- Reposition patient comfortably.
Precautions
- Select the correct cuff size.
- Support arm at heart level.
- Avoid constricting clothing.
- Deflate cuff gradually.
- Clean equipment appropriately.
- Report abnormal readings promptly.
Educational resource only. Follow current Nursing and Midwifery Council guidance, local institutional protocols, scope of practice, and clinical supervision.
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