Doppler ultrasound amplifies faint Korotkoff sounds and assists in determining the systolic pressure in conditions like shock, edema, and low cardiac output.
Assessing blood pressure using Doppler ultrasound includes the following.
Perform hand hygiene. Select a suitable limb for cuff application and provide a comfortable position.
Line up the cuff's bladder with the artery using the arterial marker on the cuff.
Wrap the cuff around the limb, then fasten. Verify the aneroid gauge's needle is within the zero mark.
Apply a thin layer of conducting gel on the artery for precise sound with minimized static.
Place the doppler tip in the gel and move it over the skin. After locating the pulse, close and tighten the sphygmomanometer's valve.
Inflate the cuff until the pulse fades, then gradually deflate till the pulse returns. Note the point on the gauge where the pulse reappears as systolic pressure.
Deflate the cuff, remove the tip, and turn off the Doppler.
Remove the cuff and wipe off excess gel from the patient's skin
Perform hand hygiene and document the findings.