What is the recommended cuff deflation rate and inflation practice for an accurate BP reading?

• A. Inflate until the artery is occluded; deflate at 2–3 mmHg per second; ensure at least 2 cm bladder length
• B. Deflate at 10 mmHg per second; ensure at least 4 cm bladder length
• C. Deflate rapidly after inflation
• D. Deflate at 0.5 mmHg per second; ensure 1 cm bladder length

Answer: (A)

Accurate blood pressure readings rely on two key ideas: you must fully stop the arterial pulse during inflation, and you should release pressure at a steady, careful rate so you can pinpoint the exact moments of the Korotkoff sounds. Inflate the cuff until the artery is occluded—that moment is reached when the pulse disappears and compression is enough to stop blood flow. Then deflate at about 2–3 mmHg per second. This slow, steady deflation lets you hear the first Korotkoff sound as the systolic pressure is reached and the point where the sounds disappear as the diastolic pressure is reached, without rushing past those thresholds and risking inaccurate values. The cuff bladder length should be sufficient to cover a meaningful portion of the arm—at least 2 cm to ensure the pressure is transmitted evenly around the artery and to avoid readings distorted by a too-small cuff. When you combine full occlusion, a slow deflation rate, and appropriate cuff size, the measurement is most reliable and reproducible.