NURS 5434 HYPERTENSION – COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELLDETAILED ANSWERS | DETAILED EXPLANATIONS AND
RATIONALES | COMPLETE EXAM PREPARATION STUDY GUIDE | PRACTICE QUESTIONS |
LATEST EXAM UPDATE
•
CORE DOMAINS*
1. Hypertension Pathophysiology and Hemodynamics
2. Blood Pressure Assessment, Diagnosis, and Classification
3. Cardiovascular, Renal, Cerebrovascular, and End-Organ Complications
4. Antihypertensive Pharmacology and Medication Management
5. Lifestyle Modification, Nutrition, and Patient Education
6. Hypertensive Urgency, Emergency, and Acute Management
7. Secondary and Resistant Hypertension
8. Hypertension in Special Populations and Comorbid Conditions
9. Nursing Assessment, Clinical Judgment, Monitoring, and Care Planning
•
INTRODUCTION*
This comprehensive assessment evaluates essential knowledge and clinical reasoning related
to hypertension, including blood pressure physiology, assessment and classification, risk
factors, complications, pharmacologic therapy, lifestyle interventions, and nursing
management. The questions progress from foundational concepts to application, analysis,
and clinical decision-making. Multiple-choice questions are used to assess the ability to
recognize important findings, distinguish related concepts, select appropriate interventions,
evaluate treatment responses, and apply evidence-based principles to patient care. Emphasis
is placed on understanding why an intervention is appropriate rather than relying solely on
memorization. The material is designed to support focused examination preparation and
practical application of hypertension concepts in nursing practice.
*
*Current hypertension guidance reflected in this assessment includes the 2025 AHA/ACC
adult guideline, which classifies stage 1 hypertension as 130–139 mm Hg systolic or 80–89
mm Hg diastolic and stage 2 hypertension as ≥140 mm Hg systolic or ≥90 mm Hg diastolic,
with a general treatment goal of <130/80 mm Hg for adults. *
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1. Which statement best describes hypertension?
A. A temporary increase in blood pressure caused by physical activity
B. A sustained elevation of arterial blood pressure above the normal range
,C. A decrease in arterial pressure caused by reduced cardiac output
D. An isolated increase in heart rate without vascular changes
Correct Answer: B. A sustained elevation of arterial blood pressure above the normal range
Explanation: Hypertension is characterized by persistently elevated arterial blood pressure.
Unlike a temporary rise caused by exercise or acute stress, chronic hypertension increases
the workload on the cardiovascular system and contributes to target-organ damage.
Question 2. Which blood pressure reading is classified as stage 1 hypertension under the
current AHA/ACC adult classification?
A. 118/76 mm Hg
B. 124/78 mm Hg
C. 136/84 mm Hg
D. 146/94 mm Hg
Correct Answer: C. 136/84 mm Hg
Explanation: Stage 1 hypertension is defined as systolic pressure of 130–139 mm Hg or
diastolic pressure of 80–89 mm Hg. A reading of 136/84 meets both criteria.
Question 3. Which blood pressure reading represents normal blood pressure?
A. 116/74 mm Hg
B. 124/76 mm Hg
C. 130/78 mm Hg
D. 138/86 mm Hg
Correct Answer: A. 116/74 mm Hg
Explanation: Normal blood pressure is less than 120 mm Hg systolic and less than 80 mm Hg
diastolic. A systolic value of 116 and diastolic value of 74 meet both criteria.
Question 4. A patient has a blood pressure of 126/76 mm Hg. How should this reading be
classified?
A. Normal
B. Elevated blood pressure
C. Stage 1 hypertension
D. Stage 2 hypertension
Correct Answer: B. Elevated blood pressure
Explanation: Elevated blood pressure is systolic pressure from 120–129 mm Hg with a
diastolic pressure below 80 mm Hg. The patient's reading fits this category.
Question 5. Which blood pressure measurement meets the definition of stage 2
hypertension?
, A. 128/78 mm Hg
B. 132/78 mm Hg
C. 136/86 mm Hg
D. 144/92 mm Hg
Correct Answer: D. 144/92 mm Hg
Explanation: Stage 2 hypertension is defined as systolic pressure of at least 140 mm Hg or
diastolic pressure of at least 90 mm Hg. The patient's systolic and diastolic values both meet
stage 2 criteria.
Question 6. Which physiologic variable directly represents the pressure exerted by
circulating blood against arterial walls?
A. Cardiac output
B. Blood pressure
C. Stroke volume
D. Venous return
Correct Answer: B. Blood pressure
Explanation: Blood pressure is the force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of
arteries. It is influenced by cardiac output, systemic vascular resistance, blood volume, and
vascular properties.
Question 7. Which relationship most accurately describes mean arterial pressure?
A. It is determined only by heart rate.
B. It reflects the average pressure driving blood through systemic circulation.
C. It is always equal to systolic pressure.
D. It is determined exclusively by venous pressure.
Correct Answer: B. It reflects the average pressure driving blood through systemic
circulation.
Explanation: Mean arterial pressure approximates the average arterial pressure available to
drive systemic tissue perfusion. It is influenced primarily by cardiac output and systemic
vascular resistance.
Question 8. Which change would most directly increase systemic vascular resistance?
A. Arteriolar vasodilation
B. Reduced sympathetic stimulation
C. Arteriolar vasoconstriction
D. Reduced circulating catecholamines
Correct Answer: C. Arteriolar vasoconstriction
AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELLDETAILED ANSWERS | DETAILED EXPLANATIONS AND
RATIONALES | COMPLETE EXAM PREPARATION STUDY GUIDE | PRACTICE QUESTIONS |
LATEST EXAM UPDATE
•
CORE DOMAINS*
1. Hypertension Pathophysiology and Hemodynamics
2. Blood Pressure Assessment, Diagnosis, and Classification
3. Cardiovascular, Renal, Cerebrovascular, and End-Organ Complications
4. Antihypertensive Pharmacology and Medication Management
5. Lifestyle Modification, Nutrition, and Patient Education
6. Hypertensive Urgency, Emergency, and Acute Management
7. Secondary and Resistant Hypertension
8. Hypertension in Special Populations and Comorbid Conditions
9. Nursing Assessment, Clinical Judgment, Monitoring, and Care Planning
•
INTRODUCTION*
This comprehensive assessment evaluates essential knowledge and clinical reasoning related
to hypertension, including blood pressure physiology, assessment and classification, risk
factors, complications, pharmacologic therapy, lifestyle interventions, and nursing
management. The questions progress from foundational concepts to application, analysis,
and clinical decision-making. Multiple-choice questions are used to assess the ability to
recognize important findings, distinguish related concepts, select appropriate interventions,
evaluate treatment responses, and apply evidence-based principles to patient care. Emphasis
is placed on understanding why an intervention is appropriate rather than relying solely on
memorization. The material is designed to support focused examination preparation and
practical application of hypertension concepts in nursing practice.
*
*Current hypertension guidance reflected in this assessment includes the 2025 AHA/ACC
adult guideline, which classifies stage 1 hypertension as 130–139 mm Hg systolic or 80–89
mm Hg diastolic and stage 2 hypertension as ≥140 mm Hg systolic or ≥90 mm Hg diastolic,
with a general treatment goal of <130/80 mm Hg for adults. *
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1. Which statement best describes hypertension?
A. A temporary increase in blood pressure caused by physical activity
B. A sustained elevation of arterial blood pressure above the normal range
,C. A decrease in arterial pressure caused by reduced cardiac output
D. An isolated increase in heart rate without vascular changes
Correct Answer: B. A sustained elevation of arterial blood pressure above the normal range
Explanation: Hypertension is characterized by persistently elevated arterial blood pressure.
Unlike a temporary rise caused by exercise or acute stress, chronic hypertension increases
the workload on the cardiovascular system and contributes to target-organ damage.
Question 2. Which blood pressure reading is classified as stage 1 hypertension under the
current AHA/ACC adult classification?
A. 118/76 mm Hg
B. 124/78 mm Hg
C. 136/84 mm Hg
D. 146/94 mm Hg
Correct Answer: C. 136/84 mm Hg
Explanation: Stage 1 hypertension is defined as systolic pressure of 130–139 mm Hg or
diastolic pressure of 80–89 mm Hg. A reading of 136/84 meets both criteria.
Question 3. Which blood pressure reading represents normal blood pressure?
A. 116/74 mm Hg
B. 124/76 mm Hg
C. 130/78 mm Hg
D. 138/86 mm Hg
Correct Answer: A. 116/74 mm Hg
Explanation: Normal blood pressure is less than 120 mm Hg systolic and less than 80 mm Hg
diastolic. A systolic value of 116 and diastolic value of 74 meet both criteria.
Question 4. A patient has a blood pressure of 126/76 mm Hg. How should this reading be
classified?
A. Normal
B. Elevated blood pressure
C. Stage 1 hypertension
D. Stage 2 hypertension
Correct Answer: B. Elevated blood pressure
Explanation: Elevated blood pressure is systolic pressure from 120–129 mm Hg with a
diastolic pressure below 80 mm Hg. The patient's reading fits this category.
Question 5. Which blood pressure measurement meets the definition of stage 2
hypertension?
, A. 128/78 mm Hg
B. 132/78 mm Hg
C. 136/86 mm Hg
D. 144/92 mm Hg
Correct Answer: D. 144/92 mm Hg
Explanation: Stage 2 hypertension is defined as systolic pressure of at least 140 mm Hg or
diastolic pressure of at least 90 mm Hg. The patient's systolic and diastolic values both meet
stage 2 criteria.
Question 6. Which physiologic variable directly represents the pressure exerted by
circulating blood against arterial walls?
A. Cardiac output
B. Blood pressure
C. Stroke volume
D. Venous return
Correct Answer: B. Blood pressure
Explanation: Blood pressure is the force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of
arteries. It is influenced by cardiac output, systemic vascular resistance, blood volume, and
vascular properties.
Question 7. Which relationship most accurately describes mean arterial pressure?
A. It is determined only by heart rate.
B. It reflects the average pressure driving blood through systemic circulation.
C. It is always equal to systolic pressure.
D. It is determined exclusively by venous pressure.
Correct Answer: B. It reflects the average pressure driving blood through systemic
circulation.
Explanation: Mean arterial pressure approximates the average arterial pressure available to
drive systemic tissue perfusion. It is influenced primarily by cardiac output and systemic
vascular resistance.
Question 8. Which change would most directly increase systemic vascular resistance?
A. Arteriolar vasodilation
B. Reduced sympathetic stimulation
C. Arteriolar vasoconstriction
D. Reduced circulating catecholamines
Correct Answer: C. Arteriolar vasoconstriction
