Where should the blood pressure cuff be placed on the arm?

The blood pressure cuff should be placed 1-2 inches above the elbow to ensure accurate readings. This positioning allows the cuff to completely encircle the upper arm, where the brachial artery is located. The cuff needs to be placed over an area where it can constrict the artery effectively when inflated, providing the best opportunity to measure the systolic and diastolic blood pressures accurately.

Positioning the cuff too low, such as at the wrist or on the forearm, can lead to inaccurate readings because it will not be measuring the pressure at the same location where it is typically assessed. Additionally, placing the cuff at the shoulder lacks accessibility and is not standard practice in measuring blood pressure, as the shoulder does not have the same arterial access as the upper arm. Thus, positioning the cuff correctly is crucial for obtaining reliable blood pressure measurements.