A falsely high blood pressure reading may result from which factor?

A falsely high blood pressure reading can indeed result from the factor that the blood pressure cuff was too small. Using a blood pressure cuff that does not fit correctly can lead to inaccurate measurements. If the cuff is too small for the patient's arm, it may compress the artery too tightly, resulting in a reading that is significantly higher than the true blood pressure. This is because the cuff may not be able to measure the artery's full expansion accurately, leading to an overestimation of the pressure.

In contrast, sitting position generally does not influence the reading to a significant extent if the arm is at heart level. Eating recently would not typically affect blood pressure readings in a substantial manner, and while poorly positioned cuffs can lead to incorrect readings, a cuff that is too small creates a direct and consistent issue with obtaining accurate blood pressure measurements. Understanding the proper sizing and placement of the cuff is crucial for obtaining reliable blood pressure readings.