Select the FALSE statement regarding noninvasive arterial blood pressure monitoring devices.

Select the FALSE statement regarding noninvasive arterial blood pressure monitoring devices.

• A. If the width of the blood pressure cuff is too narrow, the measured BP will be falsely lowered
• B. The width of the BP cuff should be 40 percent of the circumference of the patient's arm
• C. If the BP cuff is wrapped around the arm too loosely, the measured BP will be falsely elevated
• D. Oscillometric BP measurements are accurate in neonates

Answer: (A)

Noninvasive arterial BP measurement depends on proper cuff sizing and application. The cuff width should be about 40% of the arm’s circumference at the midpoint to ensure the bladder compresses the artery evenly and the measurement reflects true arterial pressure. The statement about cuff width being too narrow falsely lowering BP is not correct. A cuff that is too narrow tends to give falsely high readings because the narrow bladder requires higher pressures to occlude the artery, leading to elevated systolic and sometimes diastolic values. This aligns with the other true points: a cuff width of roughly 40% of arm circumference is the recommended standard for accuracy, and a cuff wrapped around the arm too loosely can distort readings in a way that tends to overestimate the pressure. Oscillometric measurements can be accurate in neonates when proper neonatal-sized cuffs and appropriate devices are used, so that statement can be true as well.

Noninvasive arterial BP measurement depends on proper cuff sizing and application. The cuff width should be about 40% of the arm’s circumference at the midpoint to ensure the bladder compresses the artery evenly and the measurement reflects true arterial pressure.

The statement about cuff width being too narrow falsely lowering BP is not correct. A cuff that is too narrow tends to give falsely high readings because the narrow bladder requires higher pressures to occlude the artery, leading to elevated systolic and sometimes diastolic values.

This aligns with the other true points: a cuff width of roughly 40% of arm circumference is the recommended standard for accuracy, and a cuff wrapped around the arm too loosely can distort readings in a way that tends to overestimate the pressure. Oscillometric measurements can be accurate in neonates when proper neonatal-sized cuffs and appropriate devices are used, so that statement can be true as well.