Blood Pressure Check

A nurse walked into a patient’s room to check his blood pressure.

She wrapped the cuff around his arm and said, Just relax for a second.

The machine started tightening.

The patient watched it closely.

Wow… he said. That thing really squeezes.

The nurse smiled.

That’s how it works.

The cuff tightened even more.

The patient winced.

Does it always do that?

Yes, she said calmly. It helps us get an accurate reading.

The machine beeped and she checked the numbers.

Hmm.

She looked at him.

Your blood pressure is a little high.

The patient sighed.

Yeah, I figured.

The nurse nodded.

Anything stressing you out?

The patient looked down at the cuff still wrapped tightly around his arm.

Then back at her.

You mean right now?