What should a nurse advise a patient regarding the home measurement of blood pressure during a sitting position?

When measuring blood pressure at home, it is essential to provide clear guidance on proper positioning to ensure an accurate reading. Advising the patient that their feet should be firmly placed on the ground emphasizes the importance of stabilizing the body and maintaining a proper posture during the measurement. This positioning helps facilitate accurate blood flow and reduces the likelihood of positional changes affecting the reading.

Having the feet on the ground assists in promoting relaxation and comfort while ensuring that the patient is not straining or using muscles that could artificially elevate the blood pressure readings. It also helps maintain stability in the lower body, which can contribute to overall accuracy in the measurement process. Proper setup with feet flat on the ground is an integral part of standardized blood pressure assessments, supporting the trustworthiness of the collected data.