The nurse is discussing the correct technique for taking a blood press

The nurse is discussing the correct technique for taking a blood pressure with clients and their caregivers.

Which of the following nursing statements would appropriately identify the most likely causes for experiencing difficulty actually hearing the blood pressure? (Select all that apply.)
1. “The cuff cannot be too small or too big.”
2. “Don’t release the air out of the cuff to quickly.”
3. “Keep the arm you are using at the level of the heart.”
4. “If you are having difficulty, try taking it in the other arm.”
5. “The stethoscope needs to be placed directly over a pulse point.”
6. “Remember to pump up the cuff until you can no longer feel the pulse.”

ANSWER

ANS: 1, 2, 5, 6
Instruct the client or primary caregiver that if it is difficult to hear the pressure, the cuff is proba-bly too loose, not big enough, or too narrow; the stethoscope is not over an arterial pulse; the cuff was deflated too quickly or too slowly; or the cuff was not inflated enough for systolic readings. The remaining options do not directly affect the actual hearing of the blood pressure.