A 50-year-old patient would be said to have hypotension when her:
A) blood pressure is 130/90 mm Hg.
B) blood pressure is 85/55 mm Hg.
C) heart rate is 55 bpm.
D) pulse pressure is 40 mm Hg.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Hypotension is defined as a blood pressure that is lower than the normal expected for an individual in a given environment. A blood pressure of 85/55 mm Hg is considered low, fitting the criteria for hypotension. The other options do not describe hypotension: A) 130/90 mm Hg is considered prehypertension or high normal, C) a heart rate of 55 bpm can be normal for well-trained athletes and does not indicate blood pressure, and D) a pulse pressure of 40 mm Hg (difference between systolic and diastolic pressure) is within the normal range.

A 50-Year-Old Patient Would Be Said to Have Hypotension When