Free AAMA Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Practice Question

During a patient's regular check-up, you are tasked with measuring their blood pressure. After positioning the patient's arm at heart level, you apply the cuff and begin to inflate it. How do you determine the level to which you should inflate the blood pressure cuff before listening for the Korotkoff sounds?

  • Inflate the cuff until the radial pulse is no longer palpable, then add an additional 20-30 mm Hg before listening for Korotkoff sounds with the stethoscope.

  • Inflate the cuff until it reaches a default value of 180 mm Hg, which is generally sufficient to occlude arterial blood flow in most patients.

  • Inflate the cuff based on the patient's previous blood pressure reading by adding 30 mm Hg to their last systolic measurement.

  • Inflate the cuff until the radial pulse is not felt, which indicates sufficient occlusion for an accurate blood pressure measurement.

This question's topic:
AAMA Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) / 
Clinical Competency
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