What is a common method for checking blood pressure?

The correct method for checking blood pressure is using a sphygmomanometer. This device is specifically designed to measure blood pressure by inflating a cuff around the arm to restrict blood flow temporarily and then measuring the pressure as the cuff is slowly deflated. The readings obtained consist of two numbers: the systolic pressure, which indicates the pressure in the arteries during heartbeats, and the diastolic pressure, which is the pressure during the heart's resting phase.

Using a stethoscope alone would not provide accurate blood pressure readings, as it is intended to listen to heartbeats, not measure blood pressure. A blood glucose meter, on the other hand, is exclusively for monitoring blood sugar levels and has no relevance to blood pressure measurement. Lastly, a thermometer is used to measure body temperature, and thus does not pertain to checking blood pressure either. The sphygmomanometer is the appropriate device for this clinical task and is essential for healthcare providers in assessing cardiovascular health.