Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse Practice Test

What action should the nurse take for a 55-year-old black male with a blood pressure of 150/90 mm Hg?

1. Consider this to be a normal finding for his age and race

2. Recommend he have his blood pressure rechecked in 1 year

3. Recommend he have his blood pressure rechecked within 2 weeks

4. Recommend he go to the emergency department for further evaluation

The correct answer is: Recommend he have his blood pressure rechecked within 2 weeks

A is incorrect because a blood pressure of 150/90 is considered to be prehypertension and should be monitored closely. It is not considered a normal finding for someone of this age and race. B is also incorrect because it is too long of a time period to wait for rechecking blood pressure, especially if the patient is at risk for hypertension. D is incorrect because a blood pressure of 150/90 does not necessarily warrant a trip to the emergency department unless the patient is experiencing severe symptoms. This option may be more appropriate for higher readings or for those with chronic hypertension. Option C is the most appropriate because it recommends a recheck within 2 weeks, allowing for closer monitoring and potentially earlier intervention if the blood pressure remains elevated. This option is also in line with current medical guidelines for managing prehypertension.