NBCSN Nationally Certified School Nurse Practice Exam

What occurs if a blood pressure cuff is too small?

1. It provides an accurate reading

2. It gives a low reading

3. It gives a high reading

4. It does not affect the reading

The correct answer is: It gives a high reading

When a blood pressure cuff is too small for a patient's arm, it typically compresses the artery more tightly than necessary which can lead to inaccurately high readings. This increased pressure can cause the systolic reading, the first audible sound or the point where the pulse returns, to be elevated compared to what it would be if a properly sized cuff were used. It is essential for healthcare providers to utilize the correct size of blood pressure cuff to obtain accurate results, as improper sizing can lead to misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment plans based on false readings.