At what rate should the exhaust valve be released when taking blood pressure?

When measuring blood pressure, the exhaust valve should be released at a rate of 2 to 3 mm Hg per second. This rate is conducive to obtaining an accurate reading of both systolic and diastolic pressures. Releasing the pressure too quickly might cause inaccuracies due to rapid changes in the blood flow, which can lead to an underestimation of diastolic pressure or an unclear definition of the sounds being heard through the stethoscope.

Releasing the valve at 2 to 3 mm Hg per second allows for the observation of Korotkoff sounds at a manageable pace, which is essential for correctly identifying the point at which these sounds appear and disappear — the basis for determining systolic and diastolic blood pressures. This method ensures a clear transition between the phases of blood flow, providing reliable data for medical assessments. Other rates, whether slower or faster, can compromise the accuracy of readings.