Question

Which action by the nurse results in the patient's blood pressure measurement being falsely high? Select all that apply.

a. Using a blood pressure cuff that is too narrow for the patient's upper arm
b. Deflating the blood pressure cuff too rapidly
c. Wrapping the blood pressure cuff too loosely
d. Reinflating the blood pressure cuff before it completely deflates
e. Positioning the patient's arm above the level of the heart

Answer 1

ANS: A, C, D, E

Correct: Using a blood pressure cuff that is too narrow for the patient's upper arm, wrapping the cuff too loosely, reinflating the cuff before it completely deflates, and positioning the patient's arm above the level of the heart all result in readings that are falsely high.

Incorrect: Deflating the blood pressure cuff too rapidly causes the blood pressure reading to be falsely low