Olivia Slade
Unit 14 BTEC National Health and Social Care
Learning Aim B: The Investigation and Diagnosis of Physiological
Disorders
P2 Investigative Procedures
Pulse rate, also known as heart rate, is measured using various methods.
Pulse rate measures how many times the heart beats in a certain time
frame (usually in a minute). The most common calculation for maximum
heart rate is based on age; for example, a 60-year-old’s maximum heart
rate can be determined by subtracting 60 from 220, meaning the
maximum heart rate is 160 bpm. While this calculation is not an accurate
number, it gives a good estimate of what the maximum heart rate should
be. Or an easier and more reliable method, pulse rate can be measured
through finding pulse points on the body, neck or wrist commonly, and
placing the index and middle finger on the area, then proceeding to count
the number of pulses that occur in a minute period, which gives the beats
per minute, which is the most accurate reading of pulse/heart rate. This
can be measured before and after physical activity to see the increase.
(Lopes, 2018) (Dujivenboden, 2025)
Blood pressure is the amount of force blood uses to travel through the
arteries. Each time the heart beats, it pumps blood into the aorta, the
most important artery that connects to other arteries to deliver oxygen
and nutrients to all the other organs in the body. Blood pressure fluctuates
constantly based on how active a person is and even their emotions. It is
most commonly used when managing hypertension (high blood pressure),
but can also be used to investigate hypotension (low blood pressure). A
blood pressure test is carried out through a machine that has a band that
wraps around the upper arm. The band expands, squeezing the arm,
which records blood pressure. Blood pressure readings are displayed
showing 2 numbers, the first/ top number is the pressure in the arteries
when the heart is beating, and the second/ bottom number is the pressure
in the arteries when the heart is resting. An ideal blood pressure reading is
usually between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg and gives signs of a
healthy lifestyle. (American Heart Association, 2025) (Blood Pressure UK,
n.d.) (Cleveland Clinic, 2025) (Clevelend Clinic, 2023).
Blood tests show and ensure that the blood in the body is working
effectively, while also testing enzyme levels. A complete blood test counts
red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, while also measuring the
size and percentage of red blood cells in the body, and measuring
haemoglobin levels (protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen). A
blood test is typically taken by a phlebotomist, through inserting a needle
attached to a tube into the arm, the blood flows through the tube and gets
sorted into syringes based on how many different things are being tested
Page 1 of 26
,Olivia Slade
Unit 14 BTEC National Health and Social Care
for. After this, they get sent to a lab to be analysed. Typically, in a blood
test, up to 30 millilitres of blood is taken, compared to the average adult
who has approximately 4,500 to 5,700 millilitres of blood in the body.
Blood test results can be affected by diet and metabolism, which can
cause increases and decreases in blood glucose, and hormonal cycles and
stress can also affect blood test results through rises in cortisol levels
based on the time of day. (P., 2026) (Stoppler, n.d.) (Cleveland Clinic,
2022) (British Heart Foundation, 2024) (Cancer Research UK, 2025).
Body temperature’s normal range is around 36.6°C but can be influenced
by many factors, such as age, time of day, and activity level. Body
temperature can be measured orally, on the forehead, in the rectum, and
in the inner ear. When body temperature is high, it is usually a sign of a
fever; when it is low, it is noted as hypothermia. A fever is the body's
reaction to a virus, where the body believes its temperature is too low and
begins to shiver to attempt to reheat the body. Hypothermia occurs when
the body's temperature loses heat at a rapid pace. This can occur when
exposed to cold environments or cold water. Typically, people over the age
of 64 have more difficulty adjusting their body temperature based on the
environment and maintaining body temperature. (Cleveland Clinic, 2023)
(Johns Hopkins Medicine, n.d.) (Herndon, 2026) (Wright, 2024) (Biology
Insights, 2026) (Science Insights, 2025).
Medical history consists of personal health history and family health
history. This can help give medical professionals insight into what
conditions have an increased risk of developing in the future. Alongside
this, health professionals can look back on personal health and figure out
if, for example, any illness that happened during childhood is likely to
have caused long-lasting effects. When in a healthcare institution, medical
history holds information about allergies and preferences, so there is
never a risk of a health professional administering medication that may
cause allergic reactions. Medical history also has the benefit of hinting to a
health professional certain tests they should conduct when trying to make
a diagnosis, if there has been a previous family history of it or other
conditions the individual has that can cause it. (Kadaei, 2024) (Biology
Insights, 2025) (Khatri, 2022).
M2 Importance of Investigative Procedures Parkinsons
Pulse rate – In relation to Parkinson's, pulse rate may be lower than
expected, making commonly used calculations a less accurate estimate.
Heart rate can link to Parkinson’s in a way that it does not increase as
much as expected during exercise; this is due to the changes in the
nervous system and how it affects the cardiovascular system. This means
maximum heart rate when measured may be lower than estimated and
Page 2 of 26
, Olivia Slade
Unit 14 BTEC National Health and Social Care
may not have a link to activities; medications can also affect how heart
rate is impacted. The method of checking pulse rate is non-invasive and
can be measured without any medical equipment, making it a more open
option for service users, since a pulse rate check can be carried out
anywhere, and since it's not harmful, it is more appealing. But Parkinson’s
is characterised by stress and fatigue, which can influence an individual's
heart rate, which means if stress is present while partaking in physical
activity, then pulse rate won't show an accurate reading. Ultimately, pulse
rate isn’t the most accurate method of investigating Parkinson’s due to
the variable conditions it holds, so physical activity and resting heart rate
can never be independently measured. (Lopes, 2018) (Davis Phinney
Foundation for Parkinson's, 2025).
Blood Pressure – Parkinson’s affects the autonomic nervous system, which
controls bodily functions, one being blood pressure. Parkinson’s can cause
a low amount of norepinephrine (a neurotransmitter that regulates
adrenaline and stress), which leads to blood pressure struggling to
regulate when changing position, e.g. sitting to standing, leading to
feelings of dizziness and, in severe cases, fainting. Measuring blood
pressure, similar to pulse rate, is a non-invasive method and provides
quick results, but also similar to pulse rate, stress and anxiety can
increase blood pressure, giving readings that don’t necessarily relate to
Parkinson’s and giving a false presentation of health conditions. Many
other conditions can be linked to high or low blood pressure, such as
kidney disease, diabetes, and thyroid disease, so blood pressure can
signify many other conditions, not just Parkinson’s. (Studocu, n.d.)
(Parkinson's Foundation, n.d.) (Cleveland Clinic, 2022) (Cherney, 2025).
Blood Tests – Recent studies have shown that blood tests are more telling
than originally thought for diagnosing Parkinson’s, due to the molecular
changes in the brain and blood that occur in Parkinson’s. Molecular
changes in the blood can signify changes occurring in the brain,
specifically RNA (ribonucleic acid), which, similar to DNA, carries biological
information and instructs how genes are read, determining characteristics.
When Parkinson’s is present, RNA begins to become deregulated and
promotes brain inflammation. Overall, blood tests for Parkinson’s are a
much more promising investigation procedure compared to pulse rate and
blood pressure; it is slightly more invasive, but still very time-efficient. On
the negative side, though, like many investigative procedures for
Parkinson’s, it cannot provide a straight and clear diagnosis, and more
diagnostic procedures would have to be further carried out, but the blood
test does provide a good starting point if Parkinson’s is suspected.
(Marceau, 2025) (American Parkinson Disease Association, 2025)
Page 3 of 26
Unit 14 BTEC National Health and Social Care
Learning Aim B: The Investigation and Diagnosis of Physiological
Disorders
P2 Investigative Procedures
Pulse rate, also known as heart rate, is measured using various methods.
Pulse rate measures how many times the heart beats in a certain time
frame (usually in a minute). The most common calculation for maximum
heart rate is based on age; for example, a 60-year-old’s maximum heart
rate can be determined by subtracting 60 from 220, meaning the
maximum heart rate is 160 bpm. While this calculation is not an accurate
number, it gives a good estimate of what the maximum heart rate should
be. Or an easier and more reliable method, pulse rate can be measured
through finding pulse points on the body, neck or wrist commonly, and
placing the index and middle finger on the area, then proceeding to count
the number of pulses that occur in a minute period, which gives the beats
per minute, which is the most accurate reading of pulse/heart rate. This
can be measured before and after physical activity to see the increase.
(Lopes, 2018) (Dujivenboden, 2025)
Blood pressure is the amount of force blood uses to travel through the
arteries. Each time the heart beats, it pumps blood into the aorta, the
most important artery that connects to other arteries to deliver oxygen
and nutrients to all the other organs in the body. Blood pressure fluctuates
constantly based on how active a person is and even their emotions. It is
most commonly used when managing hypertension (high blood pressure),
but can also be used to investigate hypotension (low blood pressure). A
blood pressure test is carried out through a machine that has a band that
wraps around the upper arm. The band expands, squeezing the arm,
which records blood pressure. Blood pressure readings are displayed
showing 2 numbers, the first/ top number is the pressure in the arteries
when the heart is beating, and the second/ bottom number is the pressure
in the arteries when the heart is resting. An ideal blood pressure reading is
usually between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg and gives signs of a
healthy lifestyle. (American Heart Association, 2025) (Blood Pressure UK,
n.d.) (Cleveland Clinic, 2025) (Clevelend Clinic, 2023).
Blood tests show and ensure that the blood in the body is working
effectively, while also testing enzyme levels. A complete blood test counts
red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, while also measuring the
size and percentage of red blood cells in the body, and measuring
haemoglobin levels (protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen). A
blood test is typically taken by a phlebotomist, through inserting a needle
attached to a tube into the arm, the blood flows through the tube and gets
sorted into syringes based on how many different things are being tested
Page 1 of 26
,Olivia Slade
Unit 14 BTEC National Health and Social Care
for. After this, they get sent to a lab to be analysed. Typically, in a blood
test, up to 30 millilitres of blood is taken, compared to the average adult
who has approximately 4,500 to 5,700 millilitres of blood in the body.
Blood test results can be affected by diet and metabolism, which can
cause increases and decreases in blood glucose, and hormonal cycles and
stress can also affect blood test results through rises in cortisol levels
based on the time of day. (P., 2026) (Stoppler, n.d.) (Cleveland Clinic,
2022) (British Heart Foundation, 2024) (Cancer Research UK, 2025).
Body temperature’s normal range is around 36.6°C but can be influenced
by many factors, such as age, time of day, and activity level. Body
temperature can be measured orally, on the forehead, in the rectum, and
in the inner ear. When body temperature is high, it is usually a sign of a
fever; when it is low, it is noted as hypothermia. A fever is the body's
reaction to a virus, where the body believes its temperature is too low and
begins to shiver to attempt to reheat the body. Hypothermia occurs when
the body's temperature loses heat at a rapid pace. This can occur when
exposed to cold environments or cold water. Typically, people over the age
of 64 have more difficulty adjusting their body temperature based on the
environment and maintaining body temperature. (Cleveland Clinic, 2023)
(Johns Hopkins Medicine, n.d.) (Herndon, 2026) (Wright, 2024) (Biology
Insights, 2026) (Science Insights, 2025).
Medical history consists of personal health history and family health
history. This can help give medical professionals insight into what
conditions have an increased risk of developing in the future. Alongside
this, health professionals can look back on personal health and figure out
if, for example, any illness that happened during childhood is likely to
have caused long-lasting effects. When in a healthcare institution, medical
history holds information about allergies and preferences, so there is
never a risk of a health professional administering medication that may
cause allergic reactions. Medical history also has the benefit of hinting to a
health professional certain tests they should conduct when trying to make
a diagnosis, if there has been a previous family history of it or other
conditions the individual has that can cause it. (Kadaei, 2024) (Biology
Insights, 2025) (Khatri, 2022).
M2 Importance of Investigative Procedures Parkinsons
Pulse rate – In relation to Parkinson's, pulse rate may be lower than
expected, making commonly used calculations a less accurate estimate.
Heart rate can link to Parkinson’s in a way that it does not increase as
much as expected during exercise; this is due to the changes in the
nervous system and how it affects the cardiovascular system. This means
maximum heart rate when measured may be lower than estimated and
Page 2 of 26
, Olivia Slade
Unit 14 BTEC National Health and Social Care
may not have a link to activities; medications can also affect how heart
rate is impacted. The method of checking pulse rate is non-invasive and
can be measured without any medical equipment, making it a more open
option for service users, since a pulse rate check can be carried out
anywhere, and since it's not harmful, it is more appealing. But Parkinson’s
is characterised by stress and fatigue, which can influence an individual's
heart rate, which means if stress is present while partaking in physical
activity, then pulse rate won't show an accurate reading. Ultimately, pulse
rate isn’t the most accurate method of investigating Parkinson’s due to
the variable conditions it holds, so physical activity and resting heart rate
can never be independently measured. (Lopes, 2018) (Davis Phinney
Foundation for Parkinson's, 2025).
Blood Pressure – Parkinson’s affects the autonomic nervous system, which
controls bodily functions, one being blood pressure. Parkinson’s can cause
a low amount of norepinephrine (a neurotransmitter that regulates
adrenaline and stress), which leads to blood pressure struggling to
regulate when changing position, e.g. sitting to standing, leading to
feelings of dizziness and, in severe cases, fainting. Measuring blood
pressure, similar to pulse rate, is a non-invasive method and provides
quick results, but also similar to pulse rate, stress and anxiety can
increase blood pressure, giving readings that don’t necessarily relate to
Parkinson’s and giving a false presentation of health conditions. Many
other conditions can be linked to high or low blood pressure, such as
kidney disease, diabetes, and thyroid disease, so blood pressure can
signify many other conditions, not just Parkinson’s. (Studocu, n.d.)
(Parkinson's Foundation, n.d.) (Cleveland Clinic, 2022) (Cherney, 2025).
Blood Tests – Recent studies have shown that blood tests are more telling
than originally thought for diagnosing Parkinson’s, due to the molecular
changes in the brain and blood that occur in Parkinson’s. Molecular
changes in the blood can signify changes occurring in the brain,
specifically RNA (ribonucleic acid), which, similar to DNA, carries biological
information and instructs how genes are read, determining characteristics.
When Parkinson’s is present, RNA begins to become deregulated and
promotes brain inflammation. Overall, blood tests for Parkinson’s are a
much more promising investigation procedure compared to pulse rate and
blood pressure; it is slightly more invasive, but still very time-efficient. On
the negative side, though, like many investigative procedures for
Parkinson’s, it cannot provide a straight and clear diagnosis, and more
diagnostic procedures would have to be further carried out, but the blood
test does provide a good starting point if Parkinson’s is suspected.
(Marceau, 2025) (American Parkinson Disease Association, 2025)
Page 3 of 26
