A patient has three separate blood pressure (BP)readings of 120/100 mm Hg,138/92 mm Hg,and 126/96 mm Hg. Which category describes this patient's BP?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Hypertension is defined as systolic BP over 140 mm Hg or diastolic BP over 90 mm Hg. When systolic and diastolic BP fall into different categories,classification is based on the higher category. This patient has a hypertensive diastolic BP. Isolated systolic hypertension occurs if the systolic BP is greater than 140 mm Hg with a diastolic BP less than 90 mm Hg. Because this patient has an elevated diastolic BP,it is not considered normal. Prehypertension occurs with a systolic BP of 120 to 139 mm Hg or a diastolic BP of 80 to 89 mm Hg.

A Patient Has Three Separate Blood Pressure (BP)readings of 120/100