Provide an overview of blood pressure (BP), the process and steps in performing this skill and the professional factors impacting patient care.

Blood pressure is defined as the force of the blood that exerts against the walls of the blood vessels as it is pushed through the body by the heart. (Marieb and Hoehn, 2011)

Blood pressure measurement is measured for many reasons but mostly it is to obtain a baseline for later comparisons which is used for treatment evaluation and diagnosis. The British heart foundation (BHF), recommends that everyone over the age of 40 years should have their BP checked regularly to assess the risk of getting circulatory and heart disease.  For patients in the hospital the standard protocol recommendation by The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) (2007). BP should be measured at set times depending on individual circumstances; For example, a patients BP is checked on admission to ward, in order to maintain baseline and other factors.

A competent nurse is on…(short extract)