CNA Certification (Written Exam)Basic Nursing SkillsMedium
A nurse aide records a resident's blood pressure as 118/76 mmHg. How should this reading be classified?
- AHypertension
- BHypertensive crisis
- CNormal blood pressure
- DHypotension
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Normal blood pressure
A blood pressure of 118/76 mmHg falls within the normal range of approximately 90-120 mmHg systolic and 60-80 mmHg diastolic for adults.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Hypertension typically starts at 130/80 mmHg or higher.
- B. A hypertensive crisis involves readings above 180/120 mmHg, far higher than this.
- D. Hypotension is generally below 90/60 mmHg, much lower than this reading.
Normal Blood Pressure
Normal adult blood pressure is generally 90-120 mmHg systolic over 60-80 mmHg diastolic.
- Systolic is the top number (heart contracting)
- Diastolic is the bottom number (heart relaxing)
- Report readings outside normal range to the nurse
Memory trick: '120 over 80 keeps you happy'