Rosh Internal Medicine Boost Practice Exam

What was the blood pressure of the patient during the examination?

1. 120/80 mm Hg

2. 134/88 mm Hg

3. 140/90 mm Hg

4. 150/95 mm Hg

The correct answer is: 134/88 mm Hg

The selected answer of 134/88 mm Hg indicates the patient's blood pressure during the examination falls within the range that is considered elevated but not yet classified as hypertension. According to the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines, normal blood pressure is defined as less than 120/80 mm Hg, while elevated blood pressure is defined as systolic pressure between 120-129 mm Hg and diastolic pressure less than 80 mm Hg. The threshold for hypertension starts at 130/80 mm Hg. The reading of 134/88 mm Hg shows that the systolic number is above the elevated threshold, indicating that the patient may be in stage 1 hypertension. This choice is relevant in the context of monitoring and managing blood pressure effectively, as it illustrates the importance of recording and interpreting blood pressure measurements for assessing cardiovascular risk and guiding treatment decisions. Other choices reflect varying levels of hypertension or normal blood pressure, but do not capture the stage of blood pressure that aligns with the provided answer, making 134/88 mm Hg the most accurate representation for this question.