Which device measures the pressure exerted on arterial walls during systole and diastole, preferably automatically?

• A. Non invasive blood pressure cuff
• B. Stethoscope
• C. Temperature probe
• D. ECG lead set

Answer: (A)

Arterial pressure in the systolic and diastolic phases is what we’re aiming to measure. The most practical way to capture that pressure automatically is with a cuff-based non-invasive blood pressure monitor. It inflates around the upper arm to briefly stop blood flow, then slowly deflates while sensors detect the pressure changes in the artery. From these measurements, the device automatically derives the systolic and diastolic pressures (and often mean arterial pressure). This automatic cuff method is specifically designed to quantify arterial pressure without needing a clinician to listen for sounds or manually read a pressure gauge.

A stethoscope, while essential for manual auscultation, doesn’t measure pressure by itself; it’s used to hear Korotkoff sounds while the cuff is inflated or deflated. A temperature probe and ECG leads monitor other physiological parameters but not arterial pressure.