During blood pressure measurement, which action is correct?

• A. Place cuff over clothing
• B. Arm supported at heart level
• C. Inflate cuff to 180 mmHg
• D. Record only systolic value

Answer: (B)

The action that matters most for an accurate blood pressure reading is keeping the arm supported at heart level. When the arm rests at the level of the heart, the hydrostatic pressure from gravity is minimized, and the muscles stay relaxed, reducing movement that could distort the cuff reading. This positioning helps the cuff compress the artery evenly and yields a measurement that more accurately reflects the circulatory pressure.

Placing the cuff over clothing can interfere with proper cuff inflation and occlusion, leading to an inaccurate result. The cuff should be on bare skin or a very thin sleeve so it can seal and compress properly.

Inflating to a fixed high number like 180 mmHg isn’t how you ensure accuracy; you inflate enough to stop the pulse and then deflate slowly to measure, staying within safe limits. Overinflating or inflating to an unnecessarily high pressure can cause discomfort or harm and isn’t necessary for obtaining the reading.

Recording only the systolic value omits important information. Both systolic and diastolic values are needed to assess blood pressure accurately and determine if there is hypertension or other concerns.