Which statement is correct about blood pressure measurement regarding auscultatory gaps?

Which statement is correct about blood pressure measurement regarding auscultatory gaps?

• A. An auscultatory gap can cause underestimation of systolic blood pressure or overestimation of diastolic blood pressure.
• B. All older adults have an auscultatory gap.
• C. Normal pulse pressure, or the difference between systolic and diastolic pressures, is 50-60 mm Hg.
• D. Orthostatic hypotension is measured by recording blood pressure and pulse with the client sitting.

Answer: (A)

An auscultatory gap is a brief interval during cuff deflation when no Korotkoff sounds are heard. Because we identify systolic pressure by the first audible sound and diastolic pressure by the disappearance of sounds, a gap can lead to reading errors: you may miss the true onset of the first sound and record a systolic value that is too low, and you may record a diastolic value that is too high because the sounds stop and then reappear after the gap. This is why an auscultatory gap can cause underestimation of systolic pressure or overestimation of diastolic pressure. In practice, be mindful of gaps, consider palpating the systolic pressure, and use slow deflation and multiple measurements to improve accuracy. The other statements aren’t correct for this concept: not all older adults have an auscultatory gap, normal pulse pressure is not 50–60 mm Hg, and orthostatic hypotension is assessed with measurements taken in different positions, not just while the client sits.

An auscultatory gap is a brief interval during cuff deflation when no Korotkoff sounds are heard. Because we identify systolic pressure by the first audible sound and diastolic pressure by the disappearance of sounds, a gap can lead to reading errors: you may miss the true onset of the first sound and record a systolic value that is too low, and you may record a diastolic value that is too high because the sounds stop and then reappear after the gap. This is why an auscultatory gap can cause underestimation of systolic pressure or overestimation of diastolic pressure. In practice, be mindful of gaps, consider palpating the systolic pressure, and use slow deflation and multiple measurements to improve accuracy. The other statements aren’t correct for this concept: not all older adults have an auscultatory gap, normal pulse pressure is not 50–60 mm Hg, and orthostatic hypotension is assessed with measurements taken in different positions, not just while the client sits.