Certified Nursing Assistant Exam Prep

Answer: C - Do not pump the cuff to 50 mmHg above the point where the pulse is obliterated. The cuff should be inflated within 30 mmHg above estimated systolic pressure (around 8 seconds). If measuring the blood pressure for the first time, measure the blood pressure in both arms and record the second set of measurements as the baseline. For subsequent measurements, use the arm with the highest initial reading. The audible sounds heard over the stethoscope while deflating the cuff are called Korotkoff’s sounds. The nursing assistant needs to be familiar with the different phase of Korotkoff’s sounds. In taking the blood pressure, the nursing assistant needs to observe infection control as well.