How far should you inflate the blood pressure cuff beyond the point where you last felt the person's pulse?

When measuring blood pressure, it is essential to ensure that the cuff is inflated adequately to get an accurate reading. After palpating the radial pulse, the appropriate protocol is to inflate the blood pressure cuff to a pressure at least 30 mmHg above the point where the pulse is no longer felt. This ensures that the cuff pressure exceeds the systolic pressure, allowing for an accurate measurement when you subsequently listen for the Korotkoff sounds.

Inflating the cuff by 30 mmHg beyond the pulse point provides a reliable margin to completely occlude the artery, which is critical for accurately assessing blood pressure. This method is standard practice in many clinical settings, as it helps avoid underestimating the systolic pressure, which could lead to inaccurate readings and inappropriate clinical decisions.