To which number on the blood pressure dial should you inflate the cuff to accurately assess blood pressure?

Inflating the cuff to a pressure that falls within the range of 180 to 200 is critical for accurately assessing blood pressure. Doing so ensures that the cuff pressure exceeds both the systolic and diastolic pressures, which prevents any potential for a rapid deflation to register falsely low systolic readings. This inflation strategy is particularly essential when faced with uncertainty about the patient's baseline blood pressure, especially in cases of potential hypertension.

When the cuff is inflated to this higher range, it allows for a more confident measurement since it creates a clear distinction between the sounds within the arterial system that signify systolic and diastolic pressure as the cuff is gradually deflated. This practice helps facilitate accurate determination of the blood pressure, ensuring that the clinician can make informed decisions regarding the patient's health.