Bachelor of Health Science Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Prep Guide

To determine if a patient is hypertensive, measuring blood pressure is essential. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is defined as having consistently elevated blood pressure readings. Blood pressure is expressed in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and is typically represented as two numbers: systolic pressure (the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats) over diastolic pressure (the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats).

Accurate assessment of blood pressure helps healthcare professionals identify if the patient has hypertension, which is crucial for initiating further evaluation, treatment, and managing potential risks associated with high blood pressure, such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems. The diagnostic criteria for hypertension often rely on repeat measurements to confirm high blood pressure over time, aiding in establishing a clear clinical picture.

While heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature are important vital signs that can provide insights into a patient's overall health, they do not directly indicate the presence of hypertension. Each of these measurements serves a different purpose in monitoring a patient's condition but is not utilized for diagnosing hypertensive status specifically.