Measuring blood pressure correctly
Five minutes of rest, seated, back supported, feet flat on the floor, legs uncrossed. Arm bare and supported at heart level. A sleeve rolled up into a tight band falsely raises the reading. Cuff bladder covering 80 % of the arm circumference : too small a cuff overestimates, too large underestimates. No talking during the measurement, no smoking or caffeine in the preceding 30 minutes, empty bladder. Two measurements one minute apart, and both arms at the first visit. Use this sheet in spaced repetition, pair it with a matching clinical scenario on NursEduc, and always compare values to the person's baseline before drawing conclusions. essential cardiology landmarks a nurse or licensed practical nurse in Quebec should keep in mind for clinical practice and for succeeding on the OIIQ or OIIAQ entry exam. The OIIQ framework expects the nurse to promptly recognize cardiovascular changes and prioritize hemodynamic stability.