Which of the following is NOT a common error that tends to produce falsely high BP readings?

• A. Cuff too large.
• B. Arm below heart level.
• C. Patient talking during measurement.
• D. Cuff too small.

Answer: (D)

Falsely high blood pressure readings usually come from situations that push the measured pressure up or make the measurement less accurate. A cuff that is too small requires more pressure to occlude the artery, so the reading tends to be higher than the true BP. If the arm is held below the heart, hydrostatic pressure increases in the arm, also raising the reading. Talking during the measurement introduces movement and cuff pressure artifacts that can falsely elevate the result. The factor that does not typically cause a falsely high reading is a cuff that is too large. A cuff that is too large tends to underestimate BP because occlusion happens at a lower cuff pressure, not at a higher one.