Simple question about BP readings

[NormalSaline]

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I'm a P1 student and I just had this question on a test:

"Place the following processes in the correct order" - (question is 1 point, all or nothing)

Inflate Cuff
Place stethoscope on brachial artery
slowly deflate cuff
listen for spurting sounds of first blood flow(systole)
listen for lack of sound(lack of turbulent flow)(diastole)

I have placed them in the correct order according to the test. My question is: would placing the stethoscope on the brachial artery before inflating the cuff have ANY influence on the accuracy of your reading?

I'm not normally one to cry over a couple of percent. This just seems silly though. Maybe I'm wrong😱

 

[KECKington]

I'm a P1 student and I just had this question on a test:

"Place the following processes in the correct order" - (question is 1 point, all or nothing)

Inflate Cuff
Place stethoscope on brachial artery
slowly deflate cuff
listen for spurting sounds of first blood flow(systole)
listen for lack of sound(lack of turbulent flow)(diastole)

I have placed them in the correct order according to the test. My question is: would placing the stethoscope on the brachial artery before inflating the cuff have ANY influence on the accuracy of your reading?

I'm not normally one to cry over a couple of percent. This just seems silly though. Maybe I'm wrong😱

It really doesnt matter, and usually the brachial artery is found before inflation. Just because the arm is left bloodless for less a length of time. But I doubt your proff will listen and change your grade just because a doctor on the internet proved him wrong!

 

[NormalSaline]

It really doesnt matter, and usually the brachial artery is found before inflation. Just because the arm is left bloodless for less a length of time. But I doubt your proff will listen and change your grade just because a doctor on the internet proved him wrong!

Our professors are quite open to challenges of exam questions.

 

[Instatewaiter]

I like to put the stethescope on the artery before hand. It shouldnt make a differnence in your reading

I dont think that I have ever seen a doctor pump up the cuff and then put on the stethescope. It's just to cumbersome that way.

 

[Blade28]

Shouldn't make a difference.

 

[Flaxmoore]

I've done a few hundred BPs, and I always found the artery first. It shouldn't affect your accuracy either way, since you're inflating until no pulse is heard.

 

[Johnny_D]

We are trained to find the artery first and place the stethoscope on the artery before you inflate so you can make sure you have it the first time. If you wait until after you inflate the cuff, you won't be able to feel the pulse to make sure you have your stethoscope placed in the correct area. You don't want to have to take the pressure twice.

 

[MattD]

Yeah it doesn't matter. I've never seen anyone inflate the cuff before slapping the steth on there. Especially since I find the head of my stethoscope typically needs to sit a little beneath the cuff, and it would be hard to wedge it under there AFTER inflation...


The answer choices aren't very well written anyway.