What may be inferred if a systolic blood pressure reading is inaccurately recorded as 180 mm Hg in an older patient?

When a systolic blood pressure reading is inaccurately recorded as 180 mm Hg in an older patient, one inference that can be made is the potential presence of an auscultatory gap. An auscultatory gap occurs when there is a temporary cessation of sounds heard through a stethoscope during the blood pressure reading, which may lead to an underestimation of the true systolic blood pressure when the reading is taken. This phenomenon is particularly common in older adults or individuals with certain cardiovascular conditions, where the first sound may not be audible until the cuff pressure is much higher.

If an auscultatory gap is present, the person taking the reading might miss the actual systolic pressure, mistakenly recording a higher value. This highlights the importance of proper technique, including palpating the radial pulse before auscultating to avoid the gap and ensure an accurate reading. The other options do not adequately address this specific issue that could lead to inaccurate hypertension assessments.