A Sphygmomanometer Measures

Question

A sphygmomanometer measures
A) blood flow.
B) hematocrit.
C) blood pressure.
D) oxygen saturation.

Accepted Answer

A sphygmomanometer is a device used to measure blood pressure. It consists of an inflatable cuff that is wrapped around the arm, and a meter or gauge that displays the pressure reading. The cuff is inflated to a pressure that temporarily stops the flow of blood in the artery, and then slowly released while the gauge records the pressure levels at which the blood starts to flow again. This pressure reading is used to determine both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.