MEDICAL

Vital signs-blood pressure; manual and digital sphygmomanometer

Vital signs-blood pressure; manual and digital sphygmomanometer

Facilitation Plan

Title or Aim of the facilitation

To teach student how to take manual or digital blood pressure from a patient.

Objectives of the facilitation

To demonstrate the knowledge and ability in patient's blood pressure checking

To demonstrate how to read and monitor blood pressure of a patient

To describe manual as well as digital sphygmomanometer use for reading blood pressure of a patient

To discuss the mistakes that can be done while taking readings and the importance of taking the right readings

Time allocation or Duration of the session

Half day or one day; depending on the number of learners and their understanding

Learner's previous knowledge, skills, and attitude

The student nurse is a first year student and on their first placement. They do not have proper practical experience of blood pressure checking, as they have never worked in caring profession before. Knowing this has made me realize that students will need thorough demonstration, a lot of support, and practice session, especially as it will be their first clinical experience. It is also identified that most them have prior knowledge about blood pressure, however, they do not have practical experience with any patient in clinic surroundings. Further, they are keen, enthusiastic, and optimistic about their learning and learning opportunities.

Facilitation methods

Didactic lectures on blood pressure assessment will be combined with practical sessions using manual as well as digital sphygmomanometer. After the simulation sessions, the students will be required to complete a written objective exam in order to assess their knowledge and a practical exam will also be taken from them so they can demonstrate their learning of how to check patient's blood pressure manually or digitally through sphygmomanometer.

Resources/ material required

Material will be gathered and provided to the students including sounds video tutorials, training stethoscope, updated and researched material on equipment validation standards, latest equipments for manual and digital use as well like sphygmomanometer.

Learning Environment

A patient's bedspace in a ward, where a suitable space will be made around the bedspace and the consent of patient will be taken prior to starting the practice. Further, all the equipments will be available for the students and a quiet period of the day will be selected.

Method of review

After teaching thoroughly the whole method and the importance of careful reading, review will be done by assessing each student's knowledge and understanding through written as well as practical examination.

Essay

Introduction

Hypertension (blood pressure) is one of the most common diagnoses among adults. Clinical studies has shown that regular follow-up of the patient along with the appropriate stepped approach to drug therapy accounts to be the most effective approach in controlling the blood pressure. Evidence based practice guidelines including the blood pressure measuring, are essential to adhere by, in order to achieve blood pressure control. Accurate measurement of blood pressure is critical for successful identification and management of hypertension as well (www.dhs.wisconsin.gov). Thus, it is very important to teach students the right method of taking blood pressure readings of patients manually or ...