Palpatory Method:

1. Wrap the cuff securely around the subject’s upper arm so that the arrow on the cuff is centered on the inside of
their arm and aligned with their middle finger. The air tubes should run down the inside of the arm. The bottom of
the cuff should be approximately 1.5 cm above the elbow (Figure 1.6).
2. The subject should remain still (do not move their arm) and quiet (do not talk) until the measurement is complete.
3. Palpate the subject’s pulse (radial pulse) at the wrist of the arm wrapped with the cuff.
4. Inflate the cuff and note the minimum pressure at which you can no longer feel the pulse (this equates to the SP).
5. Once the measurement is determined, completely deflate the cuff and allow at least one minute before any other
BP measurements are taken.
Auscultatory Method

The auscultatory method employs a stethoscope which is placed over the bifurcation of the brachial artery in the
elbow in order to listen to the Korotkoff sounds (Figure 1.7).

1. Have your subject sit comfortably and quietly with their arm supported
2. Wrap the cuff securely around the subject’s upper arm so that the arrow on the cuff is centered on the inside of
their arm and aligned with their middle finger. The air tubes should run down the inside of the arm. The bottom of
the cuff should be approximately 1.5 cm above the elbow (Figure 1.6).
3. Keep the phonendoscope (flat end piece of the stethoscope) well clear of cuff and tubing so that rubbing
movements do not intrude on the sounds you are endeavouring to hear.
4. The subject should remain still (do not move their arm) and quiet (do not talk) until the measurement is complete.
5. Palpate the pulse of your subject (feel for a pulse in the bifurcation of the elbow of the arm wrapped with the cuff
and place the phonendoscope of your stethoscope over this point).
6. Inflate the cuff until it is about 10–20 mmHg higher than the systolic pressure estimated for this subject using the
palpatory method above.
7. Deflate the cuff slowly while listening for the Korotkoff sounds through the stethoscope.
8. Determine the SP and DP as the cuff is deflating. SP is estimated as the pressure when the Korotkoff sounds are
first heard and DP estimated as the pressure the Korotkoff sounds first become inaudible.