Systolic pressure is indicated by which event in the auscultatory method?

Systolic pressure is indicated by which event in the auscultatory method?

• A. The first detection of the sounds
• B. The disappearance of the sounds
• C. The last detection of the sounds
• D. The peak cuff pressure

Answer: (A)

In auscultatory blood pressure, systolic pressure is indicated by the first appearance of Korotkoff sounds. When the cuff is inflated, the artery is fully occluded and no sounds are heard. As the cuff is deflated and its pressure falls to the level of systolic arterial pressure, blood starts to flow in spurts during each heartbeat around the partially compressed artery, creating audible tapping sounds. This first audible sound marks the moment the systolic pressure is reached. The sounds continue and then disappear when cuff pressure falls below the diastolic level, which is why the last audible sound corresponds to diastolic pressure. The peak cuff pressure is just the maximum inflation pressure and does not indicate systolic pressure.

In auscultatory blood pressure, systolic pressure is indicated by the first appearance of Korotkoff sounds. When the cuff is inflated, the artery is fully occluded and no sounds are heard. As the cuff is deflated and its pressure falls to the level of systolic arterial pressure, blood starts to flow in spurts during each heartbeat around the partially compressed artery, creating audible tapping sounds. This first audible sound marks the moment the systolic pressure is reached. The sounds continue and then disappear when cuff pressure falls below the diastolic level, which is why the last audible sound corresponds to diastolic pressure. The peak cuff pressure is just the maximum inflation pressure and does not indicate systolic pressure.