2
2
21
To proceed with the simulated blood
pressure measurement, first close the
valve on the sphygmomanometer bulb
tightly and begin pumping air into the
cuff until the gauge reads higher than
the preset systolic level chosen. Once
this point is reached, loosen the valve
on the bulb slightly to allow the gauge
pressure reading to decrease slowly.
While monitoring the arm assembly
with the stethoscope, note the point
on the sphygmomanometer gauge
when the first Korotkoff sound is
heard. This will be the systolic blood
pressure. Allow the pressure in the
cuff to continue to decrease until the
point at which the last pulse is heard,
noting the reading on the gauge. This
is the diastolic blood pressure.
Compare the results of reading the
systolic and diastolic blood pressures
on the gauge with the respective set-
tings on the simulator. If the readings
were accurate they should compare
favorably with the preset values. If the
auscultatory gap had been selected,
then an absence of an audible pulse
would have been noticed during what
would have been the phase 2 Korotkoff
sound. It is this lack of an audible
pulse that is considered an ausculta-
tory gap. Note that in reality
the auscultatory gap can be present
in either the phase 1 or phase 2
Korotkoff sounds. If it is desired to
demonstrate the sounds heard while
measuring a subject’s blood pressure
to the trainee or group of trainees, an
auxiliary blood pressure speaker ampli-
fier system is available (SB20146U).
If the auxiliary speaker is used, the
speaker is plugged into the EXT
AUDIO AMP jack located next to the
ARM output jack at the top of the unit.
Adjust the volume control to increase
the output of the auxiliary speaker
amplifier, and proceed with the blood
pressure measurement sequence as it
would normally be performed except
that the stethoscope need not be used.
Instead, listen to the sounds as they
emanate from the speaker amplifier,
noting the differences in the Korotkoff
phases being presented.
The Nasco
Life
/
form
®
Blood Pressure
Simulator is programmed to demon-
strate the 5 Korotkoff phases, includ-
ing an auscultatory gap, which can
be heard during auscultation of a
subject, while measuring the subject’s
blood pressure. Each is distinctly dif-
ferent and present for only a portion
of the measurement sequence.
Low Battery Indicator
When the battery supply diminishes to
a level near the point that the unit will
no longer function properly, the “low
batt” segment of the systolic pressure
display will activate when the pressure
in the sphygmomanometer cuff reach-
es above 20 mmHg. At this point, the
batteries should be replaced as soon
as possible in order to insure proper
operation of the unit. Refer to the sec-
tion titled “Installing the Batteries.”
Calibration Procedures
To calibrate the simulator, set the unit
up as described in the section titled
“Using The Nasco
Life
/
form
®
Blood
Pressure Simulator.” Apply the cuff
to the simulated arm. Set the control
box systolic pressure to 150 mmHg
and set the diastolic pressure to 70
mmHg. Proceed with a simulated
blood pressure measurement. Note
the discrepancy in the readings
between the gauge and the control
box. Set the systolic “offset.”
Example:
If the blood pressure reading was
taken and the sounds started at 148
mmHg, then the offset is +2. If the
sounds started at 152 mmHg, the
offset is –2. For this example, assume
that the sounds started at 148 mmHg.
Press and hold the Calibration key
until the systolic correction window
appears.
(See figure 27.)
Using the
arrow up key set the correction to +2.
Set the diastolic offset.
Example:
If
the blood pressure reading was taken
and the sounds stopped at 72 mmHg,
the offset is –2; or if the sounds
stopped at 68 mmHg, the offset is +2.
Procedure A
