Why cant i take blood pressure!

Question

anyone have any tips on taking blood pressure? for some reason on the lower number, i am having a hard time hearing it.. thanks

Answer 1

recepots pro caryneeison.

Answer 2

The whole point of the lower number is that you can't hear it. You pump air into the cuff and listen until you hear the beating - when you hear it, that's the top number. When that noise stops, that is the bottom number.  

Answer 3

Well, make sure you have the stethoscope placed exactly on the antecubital area beneath the cuff. Sometimes the first beat you hear is really high and you won't hear another one for a while. I retake it when this happens and usually get a lower top (systolic) number. The lower (diastolic) is the last beat you hear. No matter how faint, the last beat is the number you use. I always let the air out of the cuff really slowly so that I don't miss a beat. Haha. Good luck!

Also, minimize your stethoscope movement as this will make noises that sound like pulse beats. Tell whoever is in the room, patient included, to stop talking as this makes it impossible to hear.