Paul's blood pressure is 150/90. The 150 indicates _________ , and the 90 indicates _________ .
a. pressure in the left ventricle; pressure in the right ventricle
b. pressure during ventricular contraction; pressure during heart relaxation
c. systemic circuit pressure; pulmonary circuit pressure
d. pressure in the arteries; pressure in the veins
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify what the numbers in a blood pressure reading represent. The first number (systolic pressure) measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats (when the heart muscle contracts).
Recognize that the second number (diastolic pressure) measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats (when the heart muscle is relaxed).
Review the options given: a) relates to specific heart chambers not directly mentioned in typical blood pressure readings, b) describes pressures during different heart activities, c) refers to different circulatory pathways not directly relevant to basic blood pressure readings, d) incorrectly associates the measurements specifically with arteries and veins.
Match the correct physiological events (heart contraction and relaxation) with the blood pressure numbers given (150 for systolic and 90 for diastolic).
Select the option that correctly pairs the systolic and diastolic pressures with their respective heart activities.