What is measured with a sphygmomanometer?

What is measured with a sphygmomanometer?

• A. Blood pressure
• B. Heart rate
• C. Respiratory rate
• D. Oxygen saturation

Answer: (A)

A sphygmomanometer measures blood pressure. By placing a cuff on the arm and inflating it, the device momentarily stops blood flow and then releases pressure while you listen for the sounds of blood flow or monitor the cuff’s pressure. This yields systolic pressure (the pressure when the flow resumes) and diastolic pressure (the pressure when it stops), reported in millimeters of mercury. It’s specifically used for blood pressure, whereas heart rate is measured by counting the pulse, respiratory rate by counting breaths, and oxygen saturation by a device like a pulse oximeter.

A sphygmomanometer measures blood pressure. By placing a cuff on the arm and inflating it, the device momentarily stops blood flow and then releases pressure while you listen for the sounds of blood flow or monitor the cuff’s pressure. This yields systolic pressure (the pressure when the flow resumes) and diastolic pressure (the pressure when it stops), reported in millimeters of mercury. It’s specifically used for blood pressure, whereas heart rate is measured by counting the pulse, respiratory rate by counting breaths, and oxygen saturation by a device like a pulse oximeter.