CODA Board Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Study Resource

The blood pressure reading that is primarily recorded is the systolic reading. Blood pressure measurements consist of two numbers that reflect the pressure in the arteries during two phases of the heart's cycle: the systolic phase and the diastolic phase. The systolic pressure is the top number and represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats and pumps blood out. It is an important indicator of cardiovascular health, and medical professionals pay close attention to this reading during patient assessments.

In contrast, the diastolic pressure, which is the lower number, measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart is resting between beats. Although both readings are important for diagnosing and monitoring conditions such as hypertension, the systolic reading is often recorded first and may be more indicative of the immediate force exerted on the arterial walls.

The pulse reading refers to the number of heartbeats per minute rather than blood pressure, while the respiratory rate relates to breathing frequency and is not relevant in the context of blood pressure measurements. Each of these other readings serves a different purpose in evaluating a patient’s overall health, but when discussing blood pressure specifically, the systolic reading is the correct choice to record.