Deflation rate recommended for auscultatory BP measurement?

• A. About 2–3 mmHg per second
• B. About 5–6 mmHg per second
• C. About 10–12 mmHg per second
• D. About 0.5–1 mmHg per second

Answer: (A)

Auscultatory blood pressure hinges on releasing the cuff air at a steady, moderate pace. The recommended deflation rate is about 2–3 mmHg per second. This slow, controlled release gives you enough time to clearly hear the Korotkoff sounds as pressures drop from above systolic through diastolic. If deflation is much faster, you risk missing the exact onset of the sounds or skipping the quiet phases, which can lead to inaccurate systolic or diastolic readings. If you go too slowly, the measurement takes longer and can cause patient discomfort or arm fullness that subtly alters the reading. Maintaining a deflation rate of roughly 2–3 mmHg per second offers the best balance between accuracy and practicality.