Common Errors in Blood Pressure Assessment

Inadequate inflation level

False-low systolic reading

Arm below heart level

False-high reading

Cuff too wide

False-low reading

Stethoscope that fits poorly or impairment of examiner's hearing, causing sounds to be muffled

False low systolic and false high diastolic

Deflating cuff too slowly

False-high diastolic reading

Inflating too slowly

False-high diastolic reading

Arm not supported

False-high reading

Cuff too narrow or too short

False-high reading

Cuff wrapped too loosely or unevenly

False-high reading

Repeating assessments too quickly

False-high systolic reading

Stethoscope applied too firmly against antecubital fossa

False-low diastolic reading

Arm above heart level

False-low reading

Deflating cuff too quickly

False-low systolic and false-high diastolic reading