The current system used in the classroom for measuring blood pressure (BP) is with an instrument called a sphygmomanometer. This uses an inflatable cuff, a stethoscope and a gauge.

1. Place the uninflated cuff around the client's upper arm, above the elbow, level with the heart.
2. Find the artery at the elbow crease by feeling for a pulse and place the stethoscope over it.
3. Inflate the cuff - this inflation will cause the artery to close down temporarily.
4. Slowly deflate the cuff, at the same time listening for the sound of the artery opening up. A beat will be heard. This is the sound of blood being forced through the partially open artery. Record the pressure on the gauge at this point. This is the systolic BP.
5. Continue to deflate the cuff until the beat fades away - the artery is now fully open and the beat cannot be heard. Record the point on the gauge when the beat cannot be heard any more. This is the diastolic pressure.

As a very rough guide the systolic pressure should be approximately 100 + the patient's age, the diastolic should be approximately the normal pulse rate.