Reading Skills for Today's Adults

Jill has high blood pressure. She needs to be sure it doesn’t get any higher. Her doctor asked her to check it once a week. Jill does this for the first time at the drugstore.

She goes to the back of the drugstore. She sits down in the chair and puts the blood pressure cuff on her arm. She takes three readings. They are all too high.

Jill tells the clerk, “Something is wrong. These readings seem high.” The clerk says, “Yes, that can happen when you move your arm or head. Your body must be still.”

Jill tries it again. She is very still. Jill is relieved. The reading is where she thought it should be. Next week she will know to sit still.