Title: Explain what the blood pressure (BP) measures.
Course: Nurse Aide (14051) > Section: Unit VII: Basic Skills

Explanation should include defining

- blood pressure – the force applied to the walls of the arteries as the heart contracts, pushing blood away from the heart; measured in mm Hg (mercury)
- systolic – the top number in BP; measures force applied to walls of arteries as the left ventricle contracts, pushing blood away from the heart; should be less than 120 mm Hg
- diastolic – the bottom number in BP; measure pressure in the arteries when the heart is resting between contractions; should be less than 80 mm Hg.