When taking blood pressure in an upper extremity, the stethoscope diaphragm should be placed over which artery?

When taking blood pressure in an upper extremity, the stethoscope diaphragm should be placed over which artery?

• A. Carotid
• B. Radial
• C. Axillary
• D. Brachial

Answer: (D)

The key idea is that you auscultate blood pressure over a major artery that the cuff covers. The brachial artery is the correct site because it runs in the inner upper arm directly under the cuff and provides a clear, reliable Korotkoff sound as the cuff pressure is released. The carotid is in the neck and not under the arm cuff, which would give unreliable readings and isn’t the intended site. The radial artery is distal to the cuff and not aligned with where you place the stethoscope for BP measurement, and the axillary artery is in the armpit, also not aligned with standard cuff placement. So, placing the stethoscope over the brachial artery gives the most accurate, reproducible reading.

The key idea is that you auscultate blood pressure over a major artery that the cuff covers. The brachial artery is the correct site because it runs in the inner upper arm directly under the cuff and provides a clear, reliable Korotkoff sound as the cuff pressure is released. The carotid is in the neck and not under the arm cuff, which would give unreliable readings and isn’t the intended site. The radial artery is distal to the cuff and not aligned with where you place the stethoscope for BP measurement, and the axillary artery is in the armpit, also not aligned with standard cuff placement. So, placing the stethoscope over the brachial artery gives the most accurate, reproducible reading.