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Post by respect on Jan 24, 2017 16:15:59 GMT -5
1. Know your cuff size Measure the largest part of your biceps. If you are under 32cm then you are blue cuff(small adult). If you are 32cm you can use the blue or red cuff. In this instance the red cuff may give a slightly lower reading. If you are above 32cm you should use the red. If you use the blue you may get readings that may be 10 pts too high.
2. Position matters. Legs should be uncrossed and touching the floor. Failure to do so may elevate your systolic (top) number. If you are seated and back is not supported by a chair your diastolic may then be too high. While seated,the middle top of the cuff resting on your biceps should position mid chest height. This is in part achievable by arm resting on arm of a chair or a support of a pillow. If the arm is lower gravity may cause blood to pool resulting in an elevated disqualifying reading.
3.Always take reading in non dominant arm. If it has to be repeated wait a few minutes and ideally in the other arm as the action of taking the bp may have a compensating effect of rise in bp in the just used arm. 4.Breath normally. If you have to take a deep breath do it only once. Stress breathing can cause the opposite effect. 5.Try using the bath room before vitals. You can always drink water to produce a sampling. 5 Ask the tech to hold your hand. For most part being in contact with another human being may be calming. If you have ever seen a tech touching another particioant while doing vitals this might be the intention. 6. If you have to do a repeat for heart rate ask the tech if the heart rate on the ecg meets the inclusion criteria. If it does request that be used instead of running the risk of another parameter such as bp be out of range. You also request it be checked manually or using sp02 meter on your finger. 7.Many of your peers are in a competitive mode and may say or do things to spoke you so be ready with ear plugs or ear phones they will plenty time to catch up if they make the study!
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Post by FloridaGirl on Jan 25, 2017 15:18:29 GMT -5
Thanks for the helpful tips. I never thought to have the clinic employee hold my hand. Have never asked. Would they really hold your hand? I always try and stay calm though not always easy, good to know I am not the only one who gets nervous. Luckily I am left handed but write right handed so they always do my bp on my right arm since they ask me which hand do u write with not are u left or right handed.
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