You are taking someone's blood pressure and are listening to sounds of blood flow just under the blood pressure cuff. If this person is hypertensive and has a blood pressure of 140/90, what would be the blood pressure associated with the first sound you hear?
A) above 140 mm Hg
B) between 90 and 140 mm Hg
C) below 90 mm Hg
D) between 70 and 120 mm Hg

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The first sound heard during blood pressure measurement is known as the Korotkoff sound. It is a result of blood flow being partially restricted by the cuff and then released intermittently as the cuff pressure is gradually reduced. The point at which the first Korotkoff sound is heard corresponds to the systolic blood pressure, which is the higher number in a blood pressure reading. In this case, the systolic pressure would be above 140 mm Hg. However, the cuff pressure would need to be gradually released further to hear the second Korotkoff sound, which corresponds to the diastolic blood pressure. The diastolic pressure is the lower number in a blood pressure reading, and in this case, it would be between 90 and 140 mm Hg, indicating hypertension. Therefore, the best answer is B.

You Are Taking Someone's Blood Pressure and Are Listening to Sounds