Part of Lesson Plan: Vital Signs

Activity Overview / Details

Blood Pressure (b/p) - the amount of force exerted against the walls of the artery by the blood

1. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm/Hg )
2. Blood pressure is written as a fraction   ex: 120/80

Explain to students on how the actions of the heart effect the pressure in the arteries.

systolic pressure:

• heart is contracting
• pressure in the arteries is highest
• top # of b/p reading
• normal range (adult)  90 - 140

diastolic pressure:

• heart is relaxed - filling with blood
• pressure in the arteries is lowest
• bottom # of b/p reading
• normal range (adult)  60 - 90

Infants and children have lower blood pressures than adults:

• newborn  70/55 mmHg
• 1 year old  90/55 mmHg

Blood Pressure continues to increase as child grows older

Adult blood pressure levels reached between 14 - 18 years old

Instruct on terms:

hypertension

hypotension