Manual Blood Pressure Gauge

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A Description of a Manual Blood Pressure Gauge
Definition
A blood pressure gauge is used to determine the pressure exerted against the walls of arteries as blood pumps through. (“Sphygmomanometer”, 2016)

Introduction and General Information
This description, for a new nursing student, explains the working parts and function of a Prestige Medical model manual blood pressure gauge. A blood pressure gauge is used by medical professionals in combination with a stethoscope to obtain an accurate blood pressure reading. A blood pressure cuff is often used when diagnosing and treating hypertension, or high blood pressure.

The blood pressure gauge, or sphygmomanometer, was first invented in 1881 by Samuel Siegfried Karl Ritter von Basch and was made of a rubber bulb and a column of mercury. The bulb was designed to …show more content…

It measures 20 and one half inches long and 5 and one half inches wide. The cuff is made of black canvas and wraps around the arm of the patient and is held in place by Velcro attached to both ends of the cuff. (“Anatomy of a Sphygmomanometer”, 2017)
• Bulb- The bulb is attached to the main part of the blood pressure gauge by rubber tubing measuring 21 inches long. Squeezing the bulb will push air into the bladder inside the cuff. (“Anatomy of a Sphygmomanometer”, 2017)
• Bladder- The bladder is located inside the cuff and is attached to the bulb via rubber tubing. The bladder fills with air when the bulb is squeezed and exerts pressure on the limb the cuff is wrapped around. (“Anatomy of a Sphygmomanometer”, 2017)
• Valve- The valve is a small knob located near the bulb. The valve controls the amount of air allowed into the bladder. Turning the valve clockwise will slow or stop air from entering or exiting the bladder. Turning the valve counterclockwise will release the air from the bladder. (“Anatomy of a Sphygmomanometer”,

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