Medical Assistant Prep / Unit 13 MAS 309 worked example, 60 to 90 seconds
Blood Pressure Categories
The idea
Adult blood pressure readings are grouped into categories, using both the top and bottom numbers.
In practice
Normal is below one hundred twenty systolic and below eighty diastolic. Elevated is one hundred twenty to one hundred twenty-nine systolic, with diastolic still below eighty. Stage one high blood pressure is one hundred thirty to one hundred thirty-nine systolic, or eighty to eighty-nine diastolic. Stage two is one hundred forty or higher systolic, or ninety or higher diastolic. Above one hundred eighty systolic, or above one hundred twenty diastolic, is a hypertensive crisis.
Where people slip
In the higher categories, the word is "or": either number alone can place a reading in that category. Diagnosing the category is the provider's role, but recognizing a reading to report is yours.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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