Ace the STNA Exam 2026 – Fast Track Your Nursing Future!

The initial step in taking a blood pressure reading is placing the cuff on the arm. This is crucial because the blood pressure cuff must be positioned correctly to ensure an accurate measurement. The cuff should be wrapped snugly around the upper arm, leaving enough space to fit two fingers underneath it for comfort and proper circulation.

After the cuff is placed, the subsequent steps such as finding the pulse, listening with a stethoscope, and inflating the cuff follow in order to properly measure the blood pressure. However, none of these steps can happen until the cuff is positioned correctly. This initial setup establishes the foundation for obtaining reliable blood pressure readings, which are essential for assessing a patient’s cardiovascular health.