Complaint / Cause / Corrective Action - Welch Allyn Spot Vital Signs Service Manual

Welch Allyn, Inc. Spot Vital Signs Service Manual
Revision A

3.5 COMPLAINT / CAUSE / CORRECTIVE ACTION

Troubleshooting: General Guide To Problems And Corrective Actions
QUICK GUIDE TO TAKING A MANUAL (AUSCULTATORY) BLOOD PRESSURE
Action:
1. Collect appropriate equipment.
Use a certified accurate sphygmomanometer and quality stethoscope.
Select a blood pressure cuff of a suitable size. Use a blood pressure cuff of the largest
appropriate size for patient (see markings on inside of cuff).
2. Have the patient assume a comfortable position with the upper arm relaxed at heart level and the
lower arm passively supported.
3. Expose the area of the brachial artery by removing clothing, or move a sleeve, if not too tight,
above the area where the cuff will be placed.
4. Center the cuff bladder so that the lower edge is at least 1 inch (2.5cm) above the bend of inner
arm of the elbow.
5. Palpate the brachial or radial pulse.
6. Inflate the cuff until the pulsation disappears. Then continue to inflate until the pressure reads 30
mmHg above the point where the pulse disappeared.
7. Listen carefully with stethoscope over brachial artery while controlling the release of air at a rate
of 3 mmHg per second.
8. Systolic is determined by reading the manometer gauge when the first faint but clear tapping
sound is heard with the stethoscope.
9. Diastolic, in adults, is determined by reading the manometer gauge to the closest even number
when the last sound is heard.
10. Release the air quickly after at least 10 to 20 mmHg of silence.
11. Explanation:
a. Many sphygmomanometers are inaccurate. Low quality stethoscopes do not transmit sound well
enough for blood pressure sounds to be heard accurately. A cuff that is either too large or too
small will produce an inaccurate reading.
b. If the arm is not at the proper level, inaccurate readings will result
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