Which conditions on the arm contraindicate blood pressure measurement?

• A. Presence of an IV line, fistula, edema, or recent surgery on that arm.
• B. Edema alone is not a concern.
• C. History of hypertension on that arm.
• D. Only IV line.

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that a BP cuff should not be placed on an arm when there are conditions that could harm the limb or distort the reading. The arm with an IV line has a catheter and ongoing fluids; inflating a cuff there can obstruct the line, cause infiltration, or alter the infusion, making the reading unreliable and potentially dangerous. A fistula, typically used for dialysis, is a high-flow vascular access that should not be compressed; applying the cuff can injure it or disrupt blood flow. Edema means excess swelling, which changes tissue spacing and can lead to an inaccurate, often higher, reading and discomfort when the cuff is inflated. Recent surgery on the arm indicates healing tissue and possible sensitive sites; cuff inflation could cause pain or wound issues and is not advisable. Because of these safety and accuracy concerns, that arm should be avoided for BP measurement, and the opposite arm should be used if possible. History of hypertension on that arm does not contraindicate measurement, and having only an IV line on its own is not complete enough to rule out using the arm, hence those other options aren’t correct.