In assessing a 75-year-old African American client, a nurse notes a blood pressure (BP) of 158/90 mm Hg. In planning care for this client, which interpretation by the nurse is correct?
ExplanationThe Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure’s recommended BP levels list stage 1 hypertension as a systolic blood pressure of 140 to 159 mm Hg or a diastolic blood pressure of 90 to 99 mm Hg. Although BP increases with age, hypertension is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and thus not an acceptable BP. Most clients with hypertension will require antihypertensive medications to achieve goal BP of less than 140/90 mm Hg. The client’s BP is higher than the prehypertension stage (120–139/80–89). Stage 2 hypertension is a systolic BP of 160 or higher or a diastolic BP of 100 or higher. Lifestyle modifications are needed in all hypertensive states.
