Final answer:
An improperly sized blood pressure cuff can lead to inaccurate readings, with a cuff that is too narrow potentially resulting in a reading that is too high, and a cuff that is too wide potentially resulting in a reading that is too low.
Step-by-step explanation:
A blood pressure cuff that is too wide or narrow can decrease the accuracy of the blood pressure reading. The proper cuff size is vital to get an accurate reading; a cuff that is too small may yield a reading that is falsely high, whereas a cuff that is too large may give a reading that is falsely low. Blood pressure measurements are essential in assessing cardiovascular health, and accurate measurements are crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment.