How much should be added to the brachial pulse rate to properly inflate a blood pressure cuff?

When measuring blood pressure, it's important to properly inflate the cuff to ensure an accurate reading. The standard practice involves adding a predetermined amount to the brachial pulse rate to achieve this.

The correct amount to be added is typically around 30 mm Hg. This inflation level ensures that the cuff occludes the artery sufficiently to obtain a reading above the systolic pressure without causing excessive discomfort to the patient. By adding this specific amount, the healthcare provider can prevent the possibility of underinflation, which may give an inaccurate systolic reading when the pressurized cuff is released.

Choosing a lower amount may not fully occlude the artery, leading to false readings, while a higher amount could cause unnecessary discomfort or complications. Therefore, the addition of 30 mm Hg is the recommended practice in clinical settings for reliable blood pressure assessment.