Question

The nurse is seeing a client for the first time and has just checked the client's blood pressure. The nurse would consider the client prehypertensive if:

a. diastolic BP is between 70 and 79 mm Hg.
b. diastolic BP is 100 mm Hg.
c. systolic BP is between 120 and 139 mm Hg.
d. systolic BP is above 180 mm Hg.

Answer 1

If the client's systolic blood pressure is between 120 and 139 mm Hg, the nurse would consider them prehypertensive.

Step-by-step explanation:

In this case, the nurse would consider the client prehypertensive if the systolic BP is between 120 and 139 mm Hg. Prehypertension is defined as blood pressure readings that are higher than normal but not yet in the range of hypertension. Hypertension is diagnosed if the systolic blood pressure is 140 mm Hg or higher.

The nurse would consider the client prehypertensive if the systolic BP is between 120 and 139 mm Hg. According to the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association, a normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg, and elevated blood pressure ranges from systolic pressures of 120-129 with a diastolic pressure less than 80 mm Hg. Hypertension is indicated when the blood pressure is 130/80 mm Hg or higher. In this case, option c is correct as it falls into the prehypertension category where the systolic pressure is between 120 and 139 mm Hg.