Older Adult Patients with Hypertension May Have an Auscultatory Gap

Older adult patients with hypertension may have an auscultatory gap in their Korotkoff sounds. It is important when taking their blood pressure measurement to:

A) continue to listen until the cuff is deflated.
B) pump up the cuff until no sound is heard and then let the air out.
C) make sure the bell of the stethoscope is placed firmly over the artery.
D) stop midway and begin to inflate again.