Patient CareQuestion 4 of 100
A 45-year-old patient's blood pressure is 138/88 mmHg on two separate readings. Using current adult blood pressure categories, how is this classified?
a.Normal blood pressure
b.Elevated blood pressure
c.Hypotension
d.Stage 1 hypertension
Explanation
Current adult categories define normal as below 120/80 mmHg, elevated as 120-129 systolic with diastolic below 80, and stage 1 hypertension as 130-139 systolic or 80-89 diastolic, so 138/88 mmHg is stage 1 hypertension. It cannot be elevated because the diastolic value is 80 or higher. Hypotension generally refers to readings below about 90/60 mmHg.
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