How to Manually Inflate a Digital Blood Pressure Monitor

Blood pressure monitoring is an important part of a full health care regimen. Regular blood pressure maintenance can help patients avoid potentially life-threatening health issues. Patients taking blood pressure medications require rigorous documentation of blood pressure readings. Digital blood pressure machines are equipped with an option to inflate the cuff manually. Performing this task by hand can be helpful if the inflation device malfunctions or if the patient feels more comfortable with a health care practitioner inflating the cuff.

Things You'll Need

• Blood pressure cuff
• Hand bulb
• Table or bed
• Pen
• Paper

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Instructions

• 1

  Find the switch on the blood pressure measuring device that disables automation. Switch the monitor from automated to manual mode.

• 2

  Attach a hand bulb to the blood pressure monitor. Use a cuff that is an appropriate fit for the patient. If available, use a universal cuff that fits all sizes.

• 3

  Instruct the patient to sit or lie down with her arm extended. Ask the patient to remain still for the duration of the test. Stay calm and quiet during the duration of the reading.

• 4

  Attach the blood pressure cuff snugly to the patient's upper arm and secure it in place with the Velcro on the cuff. Tighten the hand bulb screw and squeeze the bulb rapidly until the cuff is full of air.

• 5

  Wait for the device to measure the blood pressure automatically. Record the reading that appears on the device's digital display, the date and the time of the test. Remove the cuff, with the manual bulb attached, from the patient. Allow the cuff to deflate manually.