Nursing Students' Hearing Levels and Blood Pressure Measurement Accuracy

Kim, Heeyoung; Chung, Young Hae; Kim, Yun Hee

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was done to examine the relationship between nursing students' hearing levels and accuracy of blood pressure (BP) measurements.
METHODS
Participants were 107 students who had finished their fundamental nursing practice and clinical practicum and who used earphones. Data were collected from October 13 to November 30, 2014 and from April 30 to May 19, 2015. Students' hearing thresholds were examined using an audiometer. Students were assigned to take two BP measurements on BP measurement training simulators, but only the second measurement was used for analysis.
RESULTS
All nursing students' hearing levels were within normal range, and there was no significant difference found among the settings for diastolic blood pressure. However, there were significant differences between low systolic blood pressure (SBP) (below 120mmHg) and high SBP (over 140mmHg) (z=9.02, p=.011). Measurement error in SBP showed a positive correlation with hearing threshold in the right ear at frequencies of 1000Hz and 500Hz.
CONCLUSION
Findings indicate that BP measurement error is correlated with hearing threshold at some frequencies. To reduce measurement error, nursing students should be provided with health education about hearing and to improve training for students, further studies need to examine other factors influencing BP measurement error.