Question

An inflatable cuff was used to temporarily stop blood flow in an upper arm artery. While releasing the pressure to deflate the cuff, a stethoscope was used to listen to blood flow in the forearm. The blood pressure reading was 130/85. Given this information, which of the following statements is LEAST likely to be true?

A. 85 mmHg was the diastolic pressure.
B. Blood flow was heard when the pressure of the cuff was greater than 130 mmHg.
C. 130 mmHg was the systolic pressure.
D. Blood flow was heard when the pressure of the cuff was 90 mmHg.

Answer 1

The diastolic pressure was 85 mmHg.

Step-by-step explanation:

The blood pressure reading of 130/85 indicates that 130 mmHg is the systolic pressure and 85 mmHg is the diastolic pressure. When the pressure of the cuff is greater than 130 mmHg, blood flow is not heard, so statement B is the least likely to be true. Blood flow is heard when the pressure of the cuff is less than or equal to 130 mmHg, which is the systolic pressure, and when the pressure of the cuff is less than or equal to 85 mmHg, which is the diastolic pressure.