Measurement of Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar

8/2/2019 Measurement of Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar

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NAME THOMAS MUNDIETA

REG NUMBER R089447M

COURSE PHARMACY PRACTICE

LECTURER MRS T.G MONERA PENDUKA

DUE DATE 18 OCTOBER 2011

1. Describe the correct procedure for measuring

a) Blood pressure

- Include normal and abnormal ranges, conditions for referral

and

non-pharmacological management options. [25marks]

STEPS

1. CHECKING THE EQUIPMENT. The equipment should not be used if any problems are

found.

a. The Manometer should be at zero.

b . The cuff is checked for any breaks in stitching or tears in the fabric.

c. The rubber tubing is checked for cracks or leaks, especially at connections.

d.Three sizes of cuffs should be accessible (small, regular, and adult large).

2. The manometer is placed so it can be viewed straight on and within 15 inches of the

viewer.

3. The Left arm should be used when possible. Upper arm should be bare and unconstricted

by clothing ( at least one finger should fit under a rolled-up sleeve.)

4. The appropriate size cuff is selected. The bladder width should equal at least 40% of the

circumference of the upper arm, and the length of the bladder should be 80% of the

circumference of the arm, but no more than 100%.

5. The location of the brachial artery is palpated (on the upper arm's inner aspect) and the

centre of the cuff's bladder is positioned over the brachial artery.

6. The cuff is applied evenly and snugly one-inch (2.5 cm) above the antecubital fossa (bend

of arm).

7. The arm is positioned so that the cuff is at heart level. The arm should rest firmly

supported on a table, slightly abducted and bent, with palm up.

8. The Patients legs should be uncrossed, feet resting firmly on the floor and

the back supported while blood pressure is being measured. (Patients may need to bereminded to keep quiet and relax each time a blood pressure reading is being taken.)


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9. Record the final Reading on the electronic sphygmomanometer and counsel the patient.

INTERPRETATION OF B.P VALUES

Description Blood Pressure(mmHg) Inference

Normal 120/80 Good

High Normal 130/85 Counsel Patient

Low Normal 110/75 Counsel Patient

Borderline Low 90/60 Refer

Low 60/40 Refer

High 140/90 Refer

Non Pharmacological Management of Hypertension

1. Eat Healthy, Balanced Meals

Whole, unprocessed foods that are low in fat are the healthiest, so hypertension patients

should try to avoid fast food as much as possible. Specific foods that have been shown to

reduce blood pressure levels include whole grains, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables and cold-

water fish. It is also important to consume the daily recommended amount of potassium.

Reduce Sodium Intake

A diet that is high in sodium can greatly contribute to high blood pressure. People should

consume no more than 2,400 mg of sodium a day. This is equal to 6 g of salt. Since salt is

hidden in many processed foods, it is best for patients with high blood pressure to stay away

from table salt altogether.


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The lancet is removed after reading and recording the digital display of the result.

All sharps and contaminated waste is disposed in the appropriate containers.

Blood Glucose Values

The blood sugar level is the amount of glucose in the blood which is expressed as millimoles

per litre (mmol/l).Normal range for adults throughout the day is 4-7 mmol/lUsually higher

after meals and lowest in the morning.It can be


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2a) Outline the correct instructions for administering a home

pregnancy test.

COLLECTION OF URINE FOR THE TEST

Any urine specimen is appropriate for Pregnancy Testing but the first morning urine

specimen is optimal because of its highest concentration of HCG.

Urine specimens may be collected in any clean, dry, plastic or glass container.

CARRYING OUT THE TEST.

1. The test strip and urine have to be at room temperature (15-30C) for testing.

2. The test strip is removed from the sealed pouch.

3. The strip is immersed into the urine with the arrow pointing towards the urine to just below

the maximum mark. The strip is taken out after 3 seconds and laid flat on a clean, dry, non-

absorbent surface (such as the mouth of the urine container).

READING OF RESULTS.Results are read in five minutes without exceeding this time limit.

INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS

Negative (not pregnant) :

Only one color band appears in the Control Zone. No apparent band on the Test Zone. This

indicates that no pregnancy has been detected.

Positive (pregnant) :

Distinct color bands appear in the Control and Test Zones. It indicates that the patient is

pregnant. The color intensity of the test bands may vary since different stages of pregnancy

have different concentrations of HCG hormone.

b) What other urine test kits are there?

i) Glucose test kits

ii) Albuminuria test kit

iii) Ovulatory test kit


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3) With the aid of a simple diagram define what is meant by

a) Colostomy bag

This is a bag worn over an artificial anus to collect feces.

Diagram

b) Incontinence bag [10 marks]

This is a bag used to collect urine and faeces in patients nability to prevent the discharge of

any of the excretions, especially of urine or feces.

References


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1) BlowsWT(2001)Thebiologicalbasisofnursing:Clinicalobservations.London,Routle

dge

2) Ferguson,A(2005)Blood glucose monitoring.NursingTimes.101(28),p28-9

3) Nicol(2004)Essential nursing skills.London,Mosby

4) SkinnerS(2005)Understanding clinical investigations:A quick referencemanual.2

ndEdition.London,BaillireTindall

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Measurement of Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar