Taking Blood Pressure

Welcome to our blood pressure pages. On this page we present an explanation of blood pressure cuffs; how to take blood pressure; adult and pediatric assessment guides; practice drills for hypertension in children; and a series of case studies.

Blood Pressure Simulator

Our blood pressure cuff simulator provide the opportunity to gain skills taking blood pressure. In the short courses and cases listed below, you will be able to:
A) Operate a virtual sphygmomanometer by using the 'Inflate Cuff' button (pressure several times), and the 'Deflate' and open/close valve buttons
B) Determine blood pressure values using sphygmomanometer the while listening for Korotkoff Sounds
C) Switch between mercury and aneroid cuffs sphygmomanometers

Our simulator requires Adobe Flash. If your browser doesn't run Flash, try blood pressure lessons at practicalclinicalskills.com.

Arterial Blood Pressure Assessment

Use the following links to learn more about measuring blood pressure and hypertension.

How To Take Blood Pressure

High Blood Pressure - Hypertension Guides

Measuring Blood Pressure Cases

We provide case=based training for measuring blood pressure using our simulator. The table of contents can be used to select a case.

Cases Related To Blood Pressure - Part I
This course will teach you how to obtain blood pressure readings, heart and lung sounds, patient history and test results in order to establish a diagnosis and a treatment plan. The cases presented involve hypertension (high blood pressure), hypotension (low blood pressure), elevation of only systolic or diastolic pressures. Clinical conditions which are associated with hypertensive and hypotensive conditions are included among the cases.

List of Cases

1	40 year old man with headaches and shortness of breath
2	45 year old woman with headache and facial swelling
3	A 50 year old man with weight loss, fatigue, weakness...
4	A 65 year old woman with a two hour history of chest pain and dizziness.
5	A 54 year old man is brought to the emergency room from his doctor's office.
6	A 45 year old man complains of shortness of breath with exertion.
7	Ten year old girl brought to office by mother.
8	A 60 year old woman enters emergency room after a recent fainting episode.
9	A 45 year old woman complains of a two month history of fast heart rate and palpitations.
10	A 75 year old woman complains of lethargy ...

Cases Related To Blood Pressure - Part II
Continuing from Part 1, this course provides lessons regarding how to obtain blood pressure readings, heart and lung sounds, patient history and test results in order to establish a diagnosis and a treatment plan. The cases presented involve hypotension (low blood pressure), hypertension (high blood pressure) and cases concerning elevation of only systolic or diastolic pressures. Clinical conditions which are associated with hypertensive and hypotensive conditions are included among the cases.

List of Cases

1	Fifty year old male in emergency room complains of dizziness and headache of two hour duration.
2	Male patient 30 years of age is seen in emergency room for frontal headache, sweating and palpitations.
3	47 year old male with severe left calf pain
4	A 50 year old woman with infected cut on hand
5	A 75 year old man brought to emergency room after fainting
6	78 year old male with shortness of breath with exertion and general fatigue.
7	65 year old woman referred by internist for blood pressure elevation.
8	A 50 year old woman has a fainting episode standing in her home.
9	A 50 year old woman complains of headaches, dizzyness and blurred vision.
10	A 75 year old man with shortness of breath and chest pain on exertion

High Blood Pressure in Children Drill
These drills build assessment skills by simulating blood pressure measurement by auscultation. Users will also practice evaluation of hypertension using the NIH's classification tables for children. We recommend downloading the 'Pocket Guide to Blood Pressure Measurement in Children', National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, NIH, using the following link: A Pocket Guide to Blood Pressure Measurement in Children

List of Cases

1	5 year old male
2	8 year old female
3	12 year old male
4	15 year old female
5	14 year old male
6	7 year old female