In patient care, how is blood pressure often measured?

Blood pressure is commonly measured using a sphygmomanometer, which is a device that consists of an inflatable cuff and a manometer to measure the pressure of the blood in the arteries. The process involves wrapping the cuff around the patient's upper arm and inflating it to restrict blood flow. As the cuff deflates, the clinician listens with a stethoscope to detect the sounds of blood flow, known as Korotkoff sounds, to determine the systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings.

The sphygmomanometer is specifically designed for this purpose and is an essential tool in clinical settings to assess cardiovascular health, monitor patient conditions, and guide treatment decisions. Understanding how to accurately measure blood pressure with this device is a fundamental skill for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) in providing quality patient care.