During her yearly exam, a woman’s blood pressure is recorded as 146/90. She tells the nurse that her mother and grandmother had hypertension, so it likely runs in her family. Which of the following is the nurse’s best response?
“This indicates prehypertension and is nothing to worry about yet. Please come back in a few months and we will check it again.”
“Since hypertension runs in your family, this reading is within normal limits.”
“This shows that you have stage 2 hypertension. You will likely be prescribed medication today and will also need to see the nutritionist.”
“This shows that you have stage 1 hypertension. You may need to take medication and will need to make lifestyle changes as well.”
Number 4 is correct.
Stage 1 hypertension is defined by a systolic level between 140 and 159 mmHg or a diastolic level between 90 and 99 mmHg. A blood pressure reading of 146/90 would be considered stage 1 hypertension and would require further blood pressure monitoring and probable lifestyle changes or medication management. Prehypertension is defined by a systolic reading between 120 and 139 mmHg or diastolic reading between 80 and 89 mmHg. Stage 2 hypertension is noted when systolic pressure is over 160 mmHg and a diastolic level is over 100 mmHg. Even if hypertension runs in the patient’s family, the reading indicates she must address the issue through lifestyle changes and/or medication.
