Which instrument is used for measuring blood pressure in the arteries?

• A. Sphygmomanometer
• B. Oximetry
• C. Palpate
• D. Radial

Answer: (A)

Measuring arterial blood pressure requires an instrument that can apply and read pressure in the arm around the brachial artery. A sphygmomanometer is designed for this purpose, with a cuff, a pressure gauge, and usually a stethoscope to hear the blood flow as the cuff is released. By inflating the cuff to stop the artery and then gradually releasing the pressure, you identify the systolic pressure (when blood flow just resumes with the first tapping sound) and the diastolic pressure (when the sounds disappear). This is why the sphygmomanometer is the correct instrument.

Oximetry measures oxygen saturation, not pressure. Palpating is feeling a pulse, not measuring pressure. Radial refers to the artery at the wrist or the site of the pulse, not the instrument used to measure blood pressure.