Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic Certification Practice Exam

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What does a sphygmomanometer measure?

Heart rate
Blood pressure
Oxygen saturation
Respiratory rate

The correct answer is: Blood pressure

A sphygmomanometer is a medical device specifically designed to measure blood pressure in a person's arteries. Blood pressure readings provide crucial information about the force of blood against the walls of the arteries, which is essential for assessing cardiovascular health and diagnosing conditions such as hypertension. While heart rate is measured using devices like a stethoscope or pulse oximeter, and oxygen saturation and respiratory rate are assessed with different specialized equipment, the sphygmomanometer is uniquely focused on blood pressure readings. This makes it an indispensable tool in both emergency and routine medical assessments.