Position the manometer at eye level, if possible, to assure accuracy in reading the measurement. Use an appropriately sized cuff. Use of narrow cuffs leads to falsely elevated readings. Use of wide cuffs may falsely lower the reading. Apply the stethoscope lightly to the antecubital fossa.
Excess pressure results in falsely low diastolic blood pressure readings.
Rapidly increase cuff pressure to about 30 mm Hg beyond the point at which the radial pulse is no longer palpable. Decrease pressure at a rate of no more than 2 to 3 mm Hg per second. Confirm the disappearance of sound by continuing to listen while decreasing pressure 10 to 20 mm Hg below the last sound heard. Use the average of at least two readings unless the first two differ by more than 5 mm Hg, in which case obtain additional readings. To permit blood to be released from arm veins, allow an interval of 1 to 2 minutes before repeating pressure measurements in the same arm.