Blood Pressure Taking

Palpatory Method
Inflate cuff rapidly until you cant feel the pulse
Inflate a further then 20-30 mm higher
Release cuff at 2 to 3 mm Hg per second until pulse felt again; this is the palpable systolic
pressure
Deflate the cuff promptly and completely and wait 30 seconds before measuring blood pressure
by auscultation
This will avoid the auscultatory gap
Auscultatory Method
Place bell of stethoscope over brachial artery
Rapidly inflate cuff to20- 30 mm Hg above palpable systolic pressure
Release pressure in the cuff by 2 to 3 mm Hg per second and listen for Korotkoff sounds,
including systolic (first) and diastolic (last)
Record as systolic / diastolic.
If diastolic continues to zero, record diastolic as point when sounds become muffled (phase 4)
over zero; e.g. 130/70/0 or just 130/70
Wait 2 or more minutes and repeat on the other arm; may differ by 10mm Hg



CBG monitoring
Blood Glucose Levels
Blood glucose
Fasting blood glucose: 70-99 milligrams per deciliter (3.9-5.5 mmol/L)
2 hours after eating (postprandial): 70-145 mg/dL (3.9-8.1 mmol/L)
Random (casual): 70-125 mg/dL (3.9-6.9 mmol/L)

CBG monitoring (got this from the internet)
Step 1
Turn the monitor on and place the testing strip into the designated slot in the meter. In most models, this
will be at the top. Choose a finger you want to take the blood sample from. Try to select a non-calloused
area, because those will prevent you from getting a large enough drop of blood. You will want to rotate
the areas you take the sample from for this reason. Scar tissue can build up and create a callous,
decreasing your chances of a successful test.
Step 2
Wipe off the area with an alcohol pad to prevent infection. Wait a couple of seconds for this alcohol to
dry, then retrieve your lancet. Apply firm pressure to the lancet until the spring mechanism is engaged
and it pricks the skin. Squeeze your finger around the area you stuck with the lancet about 2 to 3 times or
until a dot of blood 1 or 2 mm in diameter appears. You will have to wipe away the first sample of blood,
because this contains excess tissue fluid that may interfere with the accuracy of your results, then get a
second drop by repeating the preceding instruction. Once you have a large enough drop, apply it to the
yellow window of the testing strip. This yellow window must be completely filled in order to get an
accurate result. If you are unsuccessful in filling up the yellow window with the first drop, a second one
can be added, provided it is done within 15 seconds.

Step 3
Once you have completed your test, you must act on any abnormal results. The normal range is 60 to 126
mg/dL. Critically low values are 40 mg/dL or below, and critically high values are 400 mg/dL or above.
Your actual range may vary depending or other medical conditions you have or the recommendations of
your primary care provider. In cases of acute hypoglycemia, a small source of simple carbohydrates is
ideal, such as a small glass of juice or a couple pieces of hard candy. Something high in fat like a
chocolate bar would not be as effective because the fat would slow absorption of the glucose.
Step 4
Check you blood glucose again in 15 to 30 minutes to determine the effectiveness of your actions. If your
result is abnormally high, you have been diagnosed with diabetes and it has been prescribed to you, you
may have to give yourself some insulin. To determine how much, compare your result to the dosing
instructions received with your insulin. These instructions will vary widely depending on the insulin type
and the orders of your primary care provider. Since different insulins vary in the time they take to bring
your blood glucose down, the time after which you have to do a recheck will also vary. Consult with the
information packet included with your insulin to determine this time interval.
Step 5
Record your daily results, as the American Diabetes Association recommends. Write down the date and
the time next to each result you get. If you'd like, you can even include a comment on anything you did to
manage the levels. Give this to your primary care provider during your appointments to help give her an
idea of how you are doing with your treatment regimen.