Home Health Aide Practice Exam

Blood pressure is measured using which device?

1. Thermometer

2. Sphygmomanometer

3. Stethoscope

4. Pulse oximeter

The correct answer is: Sphygmomanometer

Blood pressure is measured using a sphygmomanometer, which is specifically designed for that purpose. This device typically consists of an inflatable cuff that wraps around the upper arm and a pressure gauge or digital readout. When the cuff is inflated, it temporarily stops the flow of blood in the artery. As the cuff gradually deflates, the healthcare professional listens for specific sounds or observes the pressure gauge to determine the systolic and diastolic pressures, indicating the force of blood against the artery walls at different points in the heart's pumping cycle. Other devices listed serve different purposes. A thermometer measures body temperature and is not equipped to assess blood pressure. A stethoscope is commonly used to listen to heart sounds and other bodily noises but does not measure blood pressure on its own. Lastly, a pulse oximeter is used to measure the oxygen saturation level in the blood, providing information about a person's respiratory function rather than their blood pressure. Thus, the sphygmomanometer is the appropriate device for accurately measuring blood pressure, aligning with the requirement of the question.