An instrument for measuring blood pressure is called what?

• A. Sphygmomanometer
• B. Pulse
• C. Heart Rate
• D. Atherosclerosis

Answer: (A)

Measuring blood pressure requires a device that can control and gauge arterial pressure in the arm—the sphygmomanometer. It uses a cuff that inflates to temporarily stop blood flow, and a gauge to read the pressure, typically with a stethoscope to listen for the sounds of blood flow or with automatic digital sensors. This identifies blood pressure as two numbers: systolic when the heart contracts and diastolic when it relaxes. This instrument is distinct from a pulse, which is the rhythmic throbbing felt in an artery; heart rate, which is how many times the heart beats per minute; and atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of plaque in arteries. So, the device used to measure blood pressure is the sphygmomanometer.