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, the systolic pressure was 130 mmHg, and blood flow was heard when the pressure of the cuff was lower than 90 mmHg.

Step-by-step explanation:

When measuring blood pressure with a sphygmomanometer, the systolic pressure is the higher number and represents the maximum pressure in the arteries during each heartbeat. The diastolic pressure is the lower number and represents the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats. Based on the blood pressure reading of 130/85, the true statement would be A: 85 mmHg was the diastolic pressure, as it is the lower number in the reading. Option B is false because blood flow is heard when the pressure of the cuff is released and equal to systolic pressure, not when it is greater than 130 mmHg. Option C is true because 130 mmHg is the systolic pressure. Option D is false because blood flow is heard when the pressure of the cuff is lower than 90 mmHg, not equal to it.