NON-INVASIVE BLOOD PRESSURE MONITORING

Non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP) monitoring is accomplished with doppler or oscillometric techniques. Cuff size and patient positioning are critical to obtain accurate readings. The width of the cuff should be 30 - 40% of the limb circumference at the site of cuff placement.4 Human pediatric cuffs (size 6 to 8) fit most MWDs.

Common locations for doppler probe placement include the dorsal pedal artery, digital artery, and coccygeal artery (Figure 21 below). Patients should lie in lateral recumbency with the cuff positioned on the limb at the level of the right atrium.

Common locations for cuff placement for oscillometric measurements are over the dorsal metatarsal artery, lower forearm, and tail base.