BLOOD PRESSURE

• Blood pressure

  • The force exerted by the blood against the walls of blood vessels under pressure from the heart.
  • Unit of BP- mmHg
• Systolic pressure


  Highest degree of pressure exerted by the blood against the walls of blood vessels during ventricular contraction/systole
• Diastolic pressure


  Minimal pressure exerted against the arterial walls at all times
• Factors affecting blood pressure

  • Age
  • Sex
  • Exercise
  • Pain
  • Drugs
• Do not take blood pressure reading:

  • Arm has an intravenous infusion on it
  • Arm is injured or diseased
  • Arm has a shunt or fistula for the renal dialysis
  • Side female patient had a radical mastectomy
• NANDA Nursing diagnosis ( related to BP )

  • Ineffective peripheral tissue perfusion
  • Decreased cardiac output
  • Deficient/excess fluid volume
  • Activity intolerance