A finger pulse transducer used with a sphygmomanometer can determine which pressure?

A finger pulse transducer used with a sphygmomanometer can determine which pressure?

• A. Only systolic pressure
• B. Only diastolic pressure
• C. Both systolic and diastolic pressures
• D. Mean arterial pressure

Answer: (A)

A finger pulse transducer detects the return of pulsatile blood flow in the finger as cuff pressure is released. The first appearance of a pulse corresponds to the systolic pressure—when the arterial flow resumes as the cuff pressure falls below systolic level. It doesn’t reliably indicate diastolic pressure, which requires information about flow throughout the entire cardiac cycle or specific auscultatory signals. So, this setup identifies systolic pressure only.

A finger pulse transducer detects the return of pulsatile blood flow in the finger as cuff pressure is released. The first appearance of a pulse corresponds to the systolic pressure—when the arterial flow resumes as the cuff pressure falls below systolic level. It doesn’t reliably indicate diastolic pressure, which requires information about flow throughout the entire cardiac cycle or specific auscultatory signals. So, this setup identifies systolic pressure only.