The nurse is taking a blood pressure on a child. What are some nursing considerations when doing the procedure? Suggested Nursing Care of Children Learning Activity

QUESTION

The nurse is taking a blood pressure on a child. What are some nursing considerations when doing the procedure? Suggested Nursing Care of Children Learning Activity: Vital Signs in the Pediatric Population The nurse is caring for a preschool aged child. The provider has ordered a diagnostic test for this client. What interventions should the nurse provide to this client about teaching the child about the diagnostic test? Suggested Nursing Care of Children Learning Activity: Hospitalization and Illness A 14-year-old boy has had a new cast applied to his right wrist following a basketball injury. What education can the nurse reinforce regarding cast care and the findings that should be reported immediately to their provider

ANSWER

 Nursing Considerations for Blood Pressure Measurement in Children

Introduction

 When taking a child’s blood pressure, nurses need to consider several factors to ensure accurate readings and provide appropriate care. This learning activity focuses on the nursing considerations for measuring blood pressure in children. By understanding these considerations, nurses can provide safe and effective care to pediatric patients.

Equipment Selection

When measuring blood pressure in children, it is crucial to choose the right-sized cuff (Pickering, 2002). Using a cuff that is too small can result in falsely elevated readings, while using a cuff that is too large can lead to falsely low readings. Nurses should select an appropriately sized cuff based on the child’s arm circumference, ensuring a proper fit.

Child-Friendly Approach

Nurses should adopt a child-friendly approach to help children feel comfortable and cooperative during the procedure. This may involve using age-appropriate language, explaining the procedure in a non-threatening manner, and providing reassurance and emotional support to alleviate anxiety.

Proper Positioning

Children should be positioned appropriately to obtain accurate blood pressure measurements. For infants, they should lie supine with their legs straight. For older children, they should sit comfortably with their arm supported at heart level (Frese, 2011). Maintaining a quiet and calm environment can also help reduce anxiety and promote accurate readings.

Choosing the Correct Technique

Nurses should employ the appropriate blood pressure measurement technique based on the child’s age and size. For infants and toddlers, auscultatory measurement using a stethoscope and sphygmomanometer is commonly used. For older children, automated blood pressure monitors may be employed, but manual auscultatory measurement is still recommended for accurate results.

Monitoring Trends and Interpretation

Nurses should be aware of the normal blood pressure ranges for children based on their age, height, and gender (Falkner et al., 2010). They should compare the child’s blood pressure readings with these norms and consider any relevant medical conditions or medications. Additionally, tracking blood pressure trends over time can help identify any significant changes that require further assessment or intervention.

Conclusion

 When taking a child’s blood pressure, nurses must consider equipment selection, adopt a child-friendly approach, ensure proper positioning, choose the correct technique, and monitor trends for accurate interpretation. By incorporating these nursing considerations, healthcare professionals can provide optimal care and enhance the overall experience for pediatric patients.

References

Falkner, B., Lurbe, E., & Schaefer, F. (2010). High Blood Pressure in Children: Clinical and Health Policy Implications. Journal of Clinical Hypertension, 12(4), 261–276. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-7176.2009.00245.x 

Frese, E. M. (2011, June 1). Blood Pressure Measurement Guidelines for Physical Therapists. PubMed Central (PMC). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3104931/ 

Pickering, T. G. (2002). Principles and Techniques of Blood Pressure Measurement. Cardiology Clinics, 28(4), 571–586. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccl.2010.07.006