When obtaining a blood pressure reading, how high should a medical assistant inflate the cuff?

Inflating the blood pressure cuff to approximately 30 mm Hg above the previously measured brachial pulse reading is the correct approach because it ensures that the cuff pressure is sufficiently high to occlude the artery. This allows for an accurate reading when the cuff is gradually deflated. By inflating it to this level, the assistant can be assured that the blood flow is completely stopped, and when the pressure decreases, the first sound heard through the stethoscope (Korotkoff sound) indicates the systolic blood pressure. This method is widely accepted as it compensates for variations in individual systolic blood pressures, which can help prevent false readings.

Other methods, such as inflating based on the systolic reading or to the point where the pulse is no longer felt, may not provide the same level of accuracy or could result in inconsistent measurements, especially in patients with varying blood pressure levels. While inflating the cuff to the maximum recommended setting might seem reasonable, it does not specify the necessary adjustments for the specific patient, potentially leading to inaccuracies.