Blood Pressure, Heart Tones, and Diagnoses

The primary purpose of this chapter is to familiarize the reader with the basic concepts of blood pressure, heart tones, and some commonly associated diagnoses. Furthermore, it is important to reinforce the need for a deep understanding of basic physiological principles when interpreting physical examination findings. Commonly employed invasive and noninvasive methods for assessing blood pressure are discussed, as well as some of the newer technologies on the horizon. It remains the general consensus that even the most sophisticated electronic monitors cannot fully reduce the need for sound clinical skills such as proper patient inspection, palpation, percussion, and/or auscultation.