Where should a nurse place a blood pressure cuff on a school-age child for an accurate reading?

For accurate blood pressure measurement in a school-age child, the cuff should be placed at the appropriate position to ensure it is snug yet not too tight. The correct placement is approximately 2/3 the distance between the antecubital fossa (the bend of the elbow) and the shoulder. This means the cuff should cover the mid-arm section, which allows for the blood pressure artery to be properly compressed when measuring. This positioning is essential for obtaining a reliable reading, as improper placement can lead to inaccurate blood pressure measurements, affecting the assessment of the child's cardiovascular health.

The other placements mentioned do not provide the necessary alignment or compression of the artery required for an accurate reading. The wrist is too distal, and placing the cuff at the elbow or on the thigh may not adequately assess the child's blood pressure due to their anatomical positioning and the sizes of their arms compared to the cuff. Thus, ensuring the cuff is positioned correctly on the upper arm at the right distance is essential for accurate assessments.