Certified Paraoptometric (CPO) Practice Exam 2025

What devices are primarily used for blood pressure assessment?

1. Thermometer and sphygmomanometer

2. Sphygmomanometer and stethoscope

3. Stethoscope and electrocardiogram

4. Blood glucose monitor and sphygmomanometer

The correct answer is: Sphygmomanometer and stethoscope

The sphygmomanometer and stethoscope are the primary devices used for assessing blood pressure. A sphygmomanometer measures the pressure of blood in the arteries, providing the systolic and diastolic readings essential for diagnosing hypertension and other cardiovascular conditions. The stethoscope is used in conjunction with the sphygmomanometer to listen to the Korotkoff sounds, which indicate the flow of blood as pressure is released from the cuff. This combination allows for accurate and effective blood pressure measurement, a key component of routine health assessments and monitoring. The other options include devices that are not primarily utilized for blood pressure assessment. For example, thermometers measure body temperature, electrocardiograms assess electrical activity in the heart, and blood glucose monitors track blood sugar levels. Thus, while some of these devices are important in medical practice, they do not serve the specific function of measuring blood pressure like the sphygmomanometer and stethoscope do.