Never used all those steps, and my readings have been spot on.....Ask and you shall receive!.. Seriously, most EMT's do not really know the steps of taking a blood pressure, which can be very important !
so just to clarify
- Put the BP Cuff on so that it inflates over the artery
- Palpate the pulse on the wrist
- Place the stethoscope near the artery and begin to pump the BP Cuff
- Listen for the artery to stop beating and take the number which because the systolic pressure
- Start releasing the pressure slowly and listen for the artery to beat again this number is the diastolic pressure
- Release the pressure all the way, take the cuff off, record the numbers.
is that about right?
Palpation is an alternative way; whenever there is too much ambient noise and unable to auscultate a BP. Remember, you are only getting am approximate systolic reading.
The worst thing you could possibly do is make up the numbers. If you can't get it, ask your partner for a hand.