Patient Care Technician (PCT) AAH Practice Exam

Which piece of equipment is primarily used for measuring blood pressure?

1. Sphygmomanometer

2. Pulse oximeter

3. Stethoscope

4. Thermometer

The correct answer is: Sphygmomanometer

The sphygmomanometer is the primary piece of equipment used for measuring blood pressure. This device typically consists of an inflatable cuff that is wrapped around the patient's arm and a measuring unit that displays the blood pressure readings. Blood pressure is expressed in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and is recorded with two numbers: systolic and diastolic pressure. The sphygmomanometer functions by inflating the cuff to occlude blood flow in the artery, then gradually releasing air while listening for the Korotkoff sounds, which indicate blood flow resuming. This process allows healthcare providers to accurately gauge both the systolic pressure (the pressure during heartbeats) and diastolic pressure (the pressure between heartbeats). Other options, while important in their own right, do not measure blood pressure. A pulse oximeter, for example, is designed to measure blood oxygen levels by assessing the color of the blood through the skin. A stethoscope is an acoustic medical device primarily used for auscultation, or listening to internal bodily sounds, rather than directly measuring blood pressure. A thermometer is used to measure body temperature, serving a different diagnostic purpose. Therefore, the correct answer, the sphygmomanometer, is integral