Welch Allyn Connex ProBP 3400 digital blood pressure device - User Manual - Manual (Page 69)

Troubleshooting
Inaccurate blood pressure readings
Possible cause Corrective action and explanation
Incorrect cuff size Use Welch Allyn approved cuffs only.
Measure patient’s arm circumference midway
between elbow and shoulder (see “Blood pressure
cuff selection” to select correct cuff size).
Patient’s arm position Ensure patient’s arm is at heart level.
Arm movement during blood pressure cycle Keep arm still during blood pressure cycle.
Movement may cause inaccuracies from artifact.
Blood pressure taken over clothing Take blood pressure on a bare arm.
Arrhythmia Check for regularity of heart rate (palpate pulse or
check device).
Moderate to severe heart rate irregularities may make
blood pressure difficult to measure accurately.
Change in blood pressure between auscultatory
reading and ProBP 3400 reading
Check blood pressure immediately before ProBP 3400
reading.
Blood pressure is dynamic and changing. It is normal
for blood pressure to fluctuate 5 to 10 mmHg.
Incorrect reference Use the correct Korotkoff sound to determine diastolic
blood pressure.
• Many listeners incorrectly equate diastolic blood
pressure with the disappearance of sound only
(phase 5). ProBP 3400 was developed using the
American Heart Association recommendations,
which state that phase 5 be used unless sound
continues to 0 mmHg, in which case the change
in the quality of sound (phase 4) is to be used.
Deflate cuff no faster than 3 mmHg per second.
•
One of the major sources of error in auscultatory
blood pressure measurement is deflating the cuff
too quickly. The American Heart Association
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