A sphygmomanometer is used to measure

• A. Heart rate
• B. Blood pressure
• C. Respiratory rate
• D. Body temperature

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is measuring blood pressure. A sphygmomanometer is designed to assess the force of the blood as it moves through the arteries, typically using a cuff placed around the upper arm and a gauge to read pressure in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). By inflating the cuff to briefly stop blood flow and then slowly releasing it, you can hear or detect the return of flow and identify the systolic pressure (when the first sounds appear) and the diastolic pressure (when the sounds disappear). This makes it the tool of choice for obtaining a blood pressure reading.

Heart rate is determined by counting pulses or using a monitor that detects pulse, not by this device. Respiratory rate is measured by observing chest rise and fall or using sensors, not through a cuff. Body temperature is measured with a thermometer. So the sphygmomanometer’s purpose is specifically to measure blood pressure, not heart rate, respiratory rate, or temperature.