Question
A medical assistant is measuring an adult patient's blood pressure. Which action would most likely produce a falsely elevated reading?
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Answer
A.Allowing the patient to rest for 5 minutes before measurement
B.Having the patient's legs crossed at the knee during measurement
C.Positioning the arm at heart level
D.Using a cuff bladder that encircles 80% of the arm
Crossed legs can raise systolic BP by 2-8 mmHg and should be avoided. Resting 5 minutes prior, using a properly sized cuff (bladder covering ~80% of the arm), and positioning the arm at heart level are all correct techniques that yield accurate readings.
