Journal article
Effect of positioning on blood pressure measurement in pregnancy
Pregnancy hypertension, Vol.27, pp.110-114
03/2022
DOI: 10.1016/j.preghy.2021.12.013
PMCID: PMC8959067
PMID: 34998224
Abstract
•Position of pregnant patients during bp measurements affects the reading.•Undertreating hypertension in pregnancy may occur based on patient positioning.•Establishing clinically-feasible protocols to measure bp in pregnancy is necessary.
Blood pressure is the key vital sign to detecting hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. The importance of taking blood pressure properly was recently underscored by the publication of updated ACC/AHA guidelines for measuring blood pressure in patients. However, the recommended position of seating with arms and back supported is not always feasible to achieve clinically, especially for inpatient women who are pregnant. Therefore, it is clinically important to understand the effects of alternative patient positioning on blood pressure measurements. We conducted a review of studies which considered patient position on the effect of blood pressure in pregnancy. This review demonstrates that clinically significant differences may occur based on patient positioning. Despite the small number of primary studies that include pregnant women, notable reductions in blood pressure measurements have been observed in the left lateral recumbent position, a common position during labor or during monitoring, in comparison to measurements taken in the supported seated position. Ultimately, these differences could affect the clinical management of patients and care should be taken to document and consider the position in which the reading was taken.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Effect of positioning on blood pressure measurement in pregnancy
- Creators
- Monica C. Myers - University of IowaDebra S. Brandt - University of IowaApril Prunty - University of IowaStephanie Gilbertson-White - University of IowaAmy Sanborn - University of Iowa Hospitals and ClinicsMark K. Santillan - University of IowaDonna A. Santillan - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Pregnancy hypertension, Vol.27, pp.110-114
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.preghy.2021.12.013
- PMID
- 34998224
- PMCID
- PMC8959067
- NLM abbreviation
- Pregnancy Hypertens
- ISSN
- 2210-7789
- eISSN
- 2210-7797
- Publisher
- Elsevier B.V
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 03/2022
- Academic Unit
- Nursing; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984318325102771
Metrics
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