Final answer:
Placing the blood pressure cuff over the patient's sleeve is the option that does not help ensure an accurate blood pressure reading. The cuff should be placed directly on the bare upper arm for correct blood pressure measurement.
Step-by-step explanation:
All of the following help ensure an accurate blood pressure reading EXCEPT: patient should empty their bladder first, patient should keep their legs uncrossed, and blood pressure cuff is the appropriate size for the patient's arm. The incorrect option is that the blood pressure cuff is placed over the patient's sleeve. This is not a recommended practice as it can lead to inaccuracies in the measurement. Instead, the cuff should be placed on the bare upper arm, at the same level as the heart.
When taking a blood pressure measurement, the correct placement and usage of the cuff is crucial. It should be wrapped tightly around the upper arm, just above the elbow and at the level of the heart. The professional measuring blood pressure then squeezes a rubber bulb to inject air into the cuff, raising the pressure around the artery and temporarily stopping blood flow into the arm. As the cuff's pressure is slowly released, blood flow resumes and the professional listens with a stethoscope for the sounds of the pulse, noting the systolic and diastolic pressure readings from the manometer.