JJR512
Forum Deputy Chief
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I have been getting some conflicting information on auscultating blood pressures lately, and how to interpret to Korotkoff sounds.
One of my fellow EMTs at my station (let's call him John) became concerned when I was unable to auscultate a BP on two different patients. Because I've only been on two calls with this particular EMT, he therefore assumed that I'm unable to auscultate a BP 100% of the time. Thus, he had me practice on him, with checking done by another EMT (let's call her Jane). I don't mind the practice, although I do resent his assumption, but that's another matter.
Anyway, I auscultated a systolic BP of 140 on John, while Jane got 120. John said 120 is consistent with what his BP "always" is.
I know I heard something at 140. I know I heard a faint thumping. I heard it for several mmHgs but it was very faint, started to become louder at around 130 and reached peak volume just over 120.
What little I know about interpreting Korotkoff sounds came from Wikipedia, which I know is not a respected resource around here, regardless of the quality and reputation of the sources actually used...but that's another topic. Anyway, from what I can tell, the systolic pressure should be the pressure at which rhythmic tapping is first heard.
My stethoscope is the Littman Master Cardiology. It's pretty much the best stethoscope available without going electronic. I wonder if I'm hearing more, due to the quality of my scope, then others are hearing with the cheapo scopes supplied by the station. On the other hand, John reports 120 mmHg is consistent with what he gets in checkups by doctors, and whether it's an actual doctor or nurse checking his BP, I'm going to assume that they're probably better at it than me.
So is the systolic BP truly the highest pressure at which rhythmic tapping or thumping is heard, or is it the point at which it reaches maximum volume, or what?
One of my fellow EMTs at my station (let's call him John) became concerned when I was unable to auscultate a BP on two different patients. Because I've only been on two calls with this particular EMT, he therefore assumed that I'm unable to auscultate a BP 100% of the time. Thus, he had me practice on him, with checking done by another EMT (let's call her Jane). I don't mind the practice, although I do resent his assumption, but that's another matter.
Anyway, I auscultated a systolic BP of 140 on John, while Jane got 120. John said 120 is consistent with what his BP "always" is.
I know I heard something at 140. I know I heard a faint thumping. I heard it for several mmHgs but it was very faint, started to become louder at around 130 and reached peak volume just over 120.
What little I know about interpreting Korotkoff sounds came from Wikipedia, which I know is not a respected resource around here, regardless of the quality and reputation of the sources actually used...but that's another topic. Anyway, from what I can tell, the systolic pressure should be the pressure at which rhythmic tapping is first heard.
My stethoscope is the Littman Master Cardiology. It's pretty much the best stethoscope available without going electronic. I wonder if I'm hearing more, due to the quality of my scope, then others are hearing with the cheapo scopes supplied by the station. On the other hand, John reports 120 mmHg is consistent with what he gets in checkups by doctors, and whether it's an actual doctor or nurse checking his BP, I'm going to assume that they're probably better at it than me.
So is the systolic BP truly the highest pressure at which rhythmic tapping or thumping is heard, or is it the point at which it reaches maximum volume, or what?