A small adult's arm is below the cuff manufacturer's size range. What is the most defensible measurement choice?
- AWrap the standard cuff with extra overlap so it sits snugly
- BUse the standard cuff and expect the reading to run high
- CUse a smaller validated cuff matched to the arm circumference
- DTake readings on both arms with the standard cuff and average them
Show answer and explanations
Answer
C
A cuff that is too large for the arm tends to underestimate blood pressure. A smaller validated cuff sized to the measured circumference gives an interpretable reading.
A
Extra overlap does not shrink the bladder; an oversized bladder still tends to underestimate blood pressure.
B
An oversized cuff tends to read low, not high.
D
Averaging readings taken with the wrong cuff keeps the same sizing error.
C
A cuff that is too large for the arm tends to underestimate blood pressure. A smaller validated cuff sized to the measured circumference gives an interpretable reading.