Which statement best describes the effect of cuff size on BP readings?

• A. Overestimated readings occur when the cuff is too small.
• B. Underestimated readings occur when the cuff is too small.
• C. Cuff size has no impact on accuracy.
• D. Only cuff material affects accuracy.

Answer: (A)

A cuff that is too small causes the reading to appear higher than the true blood pressure. When the cuff is undersized, more pressure is needed to stop the blood flow, so the measured systolic and diastolic pressures are inflated. This is why the best description is that overestimated readings occur with a cuff that is too small. Cuff size does affect accuracy—it's not true that size has no impact. The idea that a too-small cuff would underestimate is incorrect, and cuff material alone isn’t the main determinant of accuracy.