Laboratory: CVS

San Beda College of Medicine

Course: Medical Physiology
Academic Year: 2018-2019

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

At the end of this laboratory activity, the student should be able to:
 Accurately demonstrate how to properly take the blood pressure (auscultatory and palpatory)
 Explain the importance of proper BP taking
 Accurately demonstrate how to give Basic Life support
 Explain the importance of prompt and correct application of BLS

MATERIALS:
 BP Apparatus
 Stethoscope
 BLS dummy

BACKGROUND:

Blood pressure is the pressure which the circulation blood exerts against the walls of the blood vessels in
the course of circulation, and is a good indication of the capacity of the blood vessels and of cardiac function.
Measured in millimeters-mercury (mmHG)

Pulse pressure is the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure. A pulse pressure less than
25% of the systolic pressure is inappropriately low or narrowed whereas a pulse pressure of greater than
100 is high or widened.

Korotkoff’s sound -The first number called Systolic blood pressure -measures the pressure in your blood
vessels at its peak or at maximal pressure when the heart contracts and ejects blood into the aorta from
the left ventricle, approximately 120mmHg. The second number Diastolic blood pressure -measures the
minimum pressure in the blood vessels when the heart is relaxing before ejecting blood into the aorta from
the left ventricle, approximately 80mmHg. Normal pulse pressure is approximately 40 mmHG.

Diagnosis and treatment of hypertension depend on accurate measurement of auscultatory blood pressure.
However, blood pressure reading is one of the most inaccurately performed measurements in clinical
medicine. While measuring blood pressure be careful of the “White coat effect” -defined as an increase in
blood pressure when a physician is present. This may lead to misdiagnosis of hypertension in
normotensive patients.

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 Laboratory: CVS
METHODS:
Experiment 1
1. Make sure the patient is well rested (5mins), no prior nicotine intake and in proper position feet
flat on the floor arm is at heart level.
2. Using a properly calibrated BP apparatus take the patient’s blood pressure in a proper seated
position. Record your observation.
3. Using a properly calibrated BP apparatus take the patient’s blood pressure in a seated position
with arms above the head . Record your observation.
4. Using a properly calibrated BP apparatus take the patient’s blood pressure in a seated position
with legs crossed . Record your observation.
5. Using a properly calibrated BP apparatus take the patient’s blood pressure in a standing position.
Record your observation.
6. Using a properly calibrated BP apparatus take the patient’s blood pressure in a supine position.
Record your observation.
7. Interpret results.

Experiment 2
1. Using the same subjects have them jog in place for 5-10 mins and then take the corresponding
blood pressure. This time use the palpatory method.
2. Record your observation

Experiment 3
1. Using the sequence given to you by your facilitator perform the steps of Basic Life Support

RESULTS:

Student #1 Student #2 Student #3

Seated properly
Arm above head
Legs crossed
Standing position
Supine position

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 Laboratory: CVS
Palpatory

GUIDE QUESTIONS:

Experiment 1
1. Describe and compare the blood pressure of volunteer in a proper sitting position vs the one
where the arm is raised above the head. Why is that?
2. Describe and compare the blood pressure of volunteer in a proper sitting position vs the one
where the legs are crossed. Why is that?
3. Describe and compare the blood pressure while standing. Is this similar to orthostatic
hypotension? What happens to blood while in a standing position?
4. Describe and compare the blood pressure in a supine position vs that in a normal sitting position.

Experiment 2
1. How did the blood pressure differ this time from the resting blood pressure?

Experiment 3
1. What is the importance of deep and adequate chest compressions?

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