Test Yourself: List in the Correct Order – Answers

The steps are listed in the correct order for each of the following techniques. These are printable flashcards to help you memorize and practice the techniques.

Two-step blood pressure technique

1. Palpate the radial or brachial artery, inflate the blood pressure cuff until the pulse is no longer felt, and then continue to inflate 20–30 mm Hg more:  this is the maximum pressure inflation.
2. Deflate the cuff quickly.
3. Now, you can start blood pressure so place the bell of the cleansed stethoscope over the brachial artery using a light touch and complete seal.
4. Inflate the cuff to the maximum pressure inflation number.
5. Open the valve slightly.
6. Deflate the cuff slowly and evenly at about 2 mm Hg per second.
7. Note the points at which you hear the first appearance of Korotkoff sound (systolic blood pressure), and the last Korotkoff sound before it goes silent (diastolic blood pressure).

One-step blood pressure technique

1. Palpate the radial or brachial artery, inflate the blood pressure cuff until the pulse is no longer felt, and then continue to inflate 20–30 mmHg more.
2. Place the bell of the cleansed stethoscope over the brachial artery using a light touch, but with an airtight seal.
3. Open the valve slightly.
4. Deflate the cuff slowly and evenly at about 2 mm Hg per second.
5. Note the points at which you hear the first appearance of Korotkoff sound (systolic blood pressure), and the last Korotkoff sound before it goes silent (diastolic blood pressure).