Pitfalls and common errors of anaesthetic monitoring devices. Part 2: Non-invasive blood pressure monitoring

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This article is part of a series including:

Pitfalls and common errors of anaesthetic monitoring devices part 3: Capnography

Pitfalls and common errors of anaesthetic monitoring devices. Part 1: Pulse oximetry

Multiple Choice Questions

1.	Doppler blood pressure readings in cats are indicative of systolic blood pressure: (a) True (b) False
2.	In the McMillan & Darcy, 2016 study how many patients showed significant hypotension? (a) 1 in 9 (b) 1 in 37 (c) 1 in 54 (d) 1 in 106
3.	Which of the following drugs commonly used in anaesthetic premedication may reduce cardiac output and cause vasoconstriction which will affect the accuracy of the Doppler reading? (a) Methadone (b) Acepromazine (c) Medetomidine (d) Buprenorphine
4.	The width of the blood pressure cuff should be what percentage of the limb circumference? (a) 10% (b) 20% (c) 40% (d) 50%
5.	A blood pressure cuff that is too narrow will over-read the patient’s blood pressure: (a) True (b) False
6.	It is recommended that the automated cycle time on an oscillometric blood pressure machine is: (a) Every 1 minute (b) Every 3-3.5 minutes (c) Every 5 minutes (d) Every 10 minutes
7.	Placing the cuff on the limb significantly (i.e. 10cm) below the heart will cause overestimation of the blood pressure: (a) True (b) False
8.	Which of the following would not cause the oscillometric blood pressure monitor to become less accurate and reliable? (a) Sinus rhythm (b) Second degree AV bloock (c) Alpha-2 agonists (d) Severe sinus arrhythmias
9.	The cuff pressure that the cuff should be inflated to above the point at which an audible pulse returns; using a sphygmomanometer for Doppler pressure is: (a) 10-15mmHg (b) 20-30mmHg (c) 35-40mmHg (d) 50mmHG
10.	If an abnormal blood pressure reading is detected, which of the following is the least appropriate action? (a) Take another reading immediately (b) Assess the patient (c) Evaluate the pulses (d) Check other monitoring and cross reference

For the answers to the MCQs, please go to: http://www.bvna.org.uk/publications/veterinary-nursing-journal

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Matthew McMillan

Matthew McMillan, BVM&S MRCVS DipECVAA

Matt runs the clinical anaesthesia service at the Queen’s Veterinary School Hospital. He is a European and RCVS recognised specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia. His main interests include patient safety especially pertaining to anaesthesia, medical error and veterinary education. He led the team that developed the Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists’ Anaesthetic Safety Checklist.