A nurse is obtaining a client's manual blood pressure and is having difficulty auscultating sounds. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Rationale: A. Apply the largest cuff available: Using a cuff that is too large for the client can yield inaccurately low readings. Cuff size should match the client’s arm circumference, not be chosen randomly or for convenience. B. Use the palpatory method to determine blood pressure: When auscultation is difficult, the palpatory method helps estimate the systolic pressure by palpating the radial pulse. This guides proper cuff inflation and avoids missing the auscultatory gap. C. Place the arm above the level of the client's heart: Elevating the arm above heart level can result in falsely low readings. The arm should be supported at heart level to obtain accurate results. D. Deflate the cuff quickly: Rapid deflation can cause the nurse to miss key Korotkoff sounds, leading to an inaccurate measurement. Cuff deflation should be slow and controlled (2–3 mm Hg/sec).