Answer :
Final answer:
A blood pressure reading of 112/72 means the systolic pressure is 112 mm Hg and the diastolic pressure is 72 mm Hg. The numbers do not indicate pulse rate. Therefore, option c. the pressure during systole is 112 and 72 during diastole is the correct answer.
Explanation:
Blood Pressure Readings Explained
When measuring blood pressure, the two numbers provided represent the systolic and diastolic pressures. The first number is the systolic pressure, which indicates the arterial pressure when the heart's ventricles contract. The second number is the diastolic pressure, measuring the arterial pressure during the phase when the heart's ventricles are relaxed and filling with blood. For a blood pressure reading of 112/72, 112 represents the pressure during systole, and 72 represents the pressure during diastole. This reading does not directly concern pulse rate, which is the number of heartbeats per minute.
Thus, the correct interpretation for a blood pressure measurement of 112/72 is c. The pressure during systole is 112 and 72 during diastole. It is vital to understand that blood pressure readings can fluctuate throughout the day and are influenced by various factors, including exercise, emotions, sleep, stress, nutrition, drugs, or disease.
