BSci 1- Human Anatomy and Physiology

LABORATORY MANUAL

NAME: ____________________________________________ DATE: __________

COURSE & SECTION:________________________________ GROUP NO.______

EXERCISE NO. 9

Cardiovascular System:
BLOOD PRESSURE AND PULSE DETERMINATION

The cardiovascular system is composed of the heart, blood, and the blood
vessels. In a healthy heart, the two atria contract simultaneously. As they begin to
relax, the ventricles contract simultaneously. According to general usage, the terms
systole and diastole refer to events of ventricular contraction and relaxation,
respectively. The cardiac cycle is equivalent to one complete heartbeat—during
which both atria and ventricles contract and then relax. It is marked by a succession
of changes in blood volume and pressure within the heart.
Blood is classified as a type of connective tissue because it consists of a
nonliving fluid matrix (the plasma) in which living cells (formed elements) are
suspended. The fibers typical of a connective tissue matrix become visible in blood
only when clotting occurs. They then appear as fibrin threads, which form the structural
basis for clot formation. Circulating blood is a rather viscous substance that varies
from bright scarlet to a dull brick red, depending on the amount of oxygen it is carrying.
The average volume of blood in the body is about 5–6 L in adult males and 4–5 L in
adult females.

Blood pressure (BP) is defined as the pressure the blood exerts against any
unit area of the blood vessel walls, and it is generally measured in the arteries.
Because the heart alternately contracts and relaxes, the resulting rhythmic flow of
blood into the arteries causes the blood pressure to rise and fall during each beat.
Thus you must take two blood pressure readings: the systolic pressure, which is the
pressure in the arteries at the peak of ventricular ejection, and the diastolic pressure,
which reflects the pressure during ventricular relaxation. Blood pressures are reported
in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), with the systolic pressure appearing first; 120/80
translates to 120 over 80, or a systolic pressure of 120 mm Hg and a diastolic pressure
of 80 mm Hg. Normal blood pressure varies considerably from one person to another.

I. Determining Blood Pressure

Materials:

• Sphygmomanometer
• Stethoscope
• Alcohol
• Tissue Paper/Cotton

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LABORATORY MANUAL

1. Work in pairs to obtain radial artery blood pressure readings. Obtain a felt
marker, stethoscope, alcohol swabs, and a sphygmomanometer. Clean the
earpieces of the stethoscope with the alcohol swabs, and check the cuff for the
presence of trapped air by compressing it against the laboratory table or chair.
(A partially inflated cuff will produce erroneous measurements.)
2. The subject should sit in a comfortable position with one arm resting on the
laboratory table (approximately at heart level if possible). Wrap the cuff around
the subject’s arm, just above the elbow, with the inflatable area on the medial
arm surface. The cuff may be marked with an arrow; if so, the arrow should be
positioned over the brachial artery . Secure the cuff by tucking the distal end
under the wrapped portion or by bringing the Velcro areas together.
3. Palpate the brachial pulse, and lightly mark its position with a felt pen. Don the
stethoscope, and place its diaphragm over the pulse point.
4. Inflate the cuff to approximately 160 mm Hg pressure, and slowly release the
pressure valve. Watch the pressure gauge as you listen carefully for the first
soft thudding sounds of the blood spurting through the partially occluded artery.
Mentally note this pressure (systolic pressure), and continue to release the cuff
pressure. You will notice first an increase, then a muffling, of the sound. For the
diastolic pressure, note the pressure at which the sound becomes muffled or
disappears.
5. Controversy exists over which of the two points should be recorded as the
diastolic pressure; so in some cases you may see readings such as 120/80/78,
which indicates the systolic pressure followed by the first and second diastolic
end points. The first diastolic end point is the pressure at which the sound
muffles; the second is the pressure at which the sound disappears. It makes
little difference here which of the two diastolic pressures is recorded, but be
consistent. Make two blood pressure determinations, and record your
results in the observation sheet.
6. Compute the pulse pressure for each trial. The pulse pressure is the difference
between the systolic and diastolic pressures, and it indicates the amount of
blood forced from the heart during systole, or the actual “working” pressure.
7. A narrowed pulse pressure (less than 30 mm Hg) may be a signal of severe
aortic stenosis, constrictive pericarditis, or tachycardia. A widened pulse

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LABORATORY MANUAL

pressure (over 40 mm Hg) is common in hypertensive individuals. Record your

results in the observation sheet.
8. Compute the mean arterial pressure (MAP) for each trial using the following
equation:

Record your results in the observation sheet.

II. Determining pulse rate

1. Choose two (2) groupmates to be the test subjects.
2. Record the resting pulse/heart rate. Locate radial or brachial artery. If either
cannot be found, try to locate your carotid artery. Record your results in the
observation sheet.
3. Ask the subjects to perform step-ups exercise for 3-5 minutes. Record the
pulse/heart rate immediately after exercise for 1 minute. Record again the pulse
rate after 2 minute and after 5 minutes. Record your results in the
observation sheet.

POST-DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
I. Answer the following questions.

1. What are the functions of the following heart structures?

a. Chordae tendinae

b. Tricuspid Valve

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LABORATORY MANUAL

c. Interventricular Septum

d. Bicuspid Valve

e. Aortic Valve

f. Pulmonary Valve

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LABORATORY MANUAL

2. Define the following terms:

Tachycardia:

Bradycardia:

Fibrillation:

Systolic pressure:

Diastolic pressure:

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LABORATORY MANUAL

Table 1. Determining Blood Pressure Observation Sheet

Measurement 1st Trial 2nd Trial

Blood Pressure:
Systolic

Diastolic

Pulse Rate

Mean Arterial Pressure

1. What are Korotkoff sounds?

2. What are heart murmurs? What causes them?

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LABORATORY MANUAL

Table 2. Determining Pulse Rate Observation Sheet

Pulse Rate after exercise
Test Pulse at Rest
Subject Immediate After 3 mins After 2 mins

1. In which conditions in the experiment were you able to get the lowest pulse
rate? The highest pulse rate? Briefly explain why.

2. Briefly explain the effects of the exercise in pulse rate.

References:

Hapan MFZ., Domingo, JD., Sadang, MGM. (2022). Human Physiology and Anatomy Laboratory
Manual. 4th Edition. C & E Publishing Inc.

Marieb, EN., Mitchell l., & Smith, LA. (2014). Human Anatomy & Physiology Laboratory Manual. 11th
edition. Pearson Education Inc.