When repacking a reciprocating pump with more than four rings of packing, the packing is cut square, installed with the ends abutted, and each succeeding ring staggered with the butted ends __________.

Correct Answer: Option B — 90° apart

Staggering packing ring joints by 90 degrees is a standard maintenance practice to prevent a continuous leak path along the shaft or rod. This configuration ensures that the pressure drop is distributed evenly and prevents the fluid from blowing through the aligned gaps of the packing rings.