,NURS 251 Module 3 Exam | Pharmacology | Portage
Learning | Q & A | 2026 Edition
1. Classify the following blood pressure reading: 155/95 mm/Hg.
A) Normotensive
B) Elevated blood pressure
C) Stage 1 hypertension
D) Stage 2 hypertension
Correct Answer: Stage 2 hypertension
Rationale: According to the classification of hypertension, Stage 2 hypertension is defined as a systolic
blood pressure of 160 mm/Hg or higher or a diastolic of 100 mm/Hg or higher. A reading of 155/95
mm/Hg falls into the Stage 2 category. Stage 1 is 140-159/90-99, elevated is 120-129/<80, and
normotensive is <120/<80.
2. A patient's blood pressure is 125/75 mm/Hg. This reading is classified as:
A) Normotensive
B) Elevated blood pressure
C) Stage 1 hypertension
D) Stage 2 hypertension
Correct Answer: Elevated blood pressure
Rationale: Elevated blood pressure is defined as a systolic reading of 120-129 mm/Hg with a diastolic
less than 80 mm/Hg. A reading of 125/75 mm/Hg falls within this category. Normotensive is below
120/80, Stage 1 is 130-139/80-89, and Stage 2 is 140/90 or higher.
3. Which of the following statements about hypertension is TRUE?
A) Hypertension is a disease state known to have many symptoms
B) Hypertension is often asymptomatic
,C) Hypertension always presents with severe headaches
D) Hypertension is rarely diagnosed in older adults
Correct Answer: Hypertension is often asymptomatic
Rationale: Hypertension is often an asymptomatic disease and is considered the most common disease
state worldwide. Because it frequently presents without symptoms, it is sometimes called the "silent
killer." The statement that hypertension has many symptoms is false.
4. A patient's blood pressure is 135/85 mm/Hg. This reading is classified as:
A) Normotensive
B) Elevated blood pressure
C) Stage 1 hypertension
D) Stage 2 hypertension
Correct Answer: Stage 1 hypertension
Rationale: Stage 1 hypertension is defined as a systolic reading of 130-139 mm/Hg or a diastolic of 80-89
mm/Hg. A reading of 135/85 mm/Hg falls into Stage 1 hypertension.
5. Which blood pressure reading would warrant the consideration of drug therapy in a 75-year-old man
with diabetes and a 10-year cardiac risk of 30%?
A) 120/80 mm/Hg
B) 125/80 mm/Hg
C) 130/85 mm/Hg
D) 150/90 mm/Hg
Correct Answer: 130/85 mm/Hg
, Rationale: For patients with diabetes and elevated cardiac risk, drug therapy should be considered for
any blood pressure reading greater than 130/80 mm/Hg. A reading of 130/85 mm/Hg exceeds this
threshold and would warrant consideration of pharmacological intervention.
6. A 65-year-old patient without comorbidities has a blood pressure of 145/92 mm/Hg. This reading
would be considered:
A) Normotensive
B) Elevated blood pressure
C) Stage 1 hypertension
D) Stage 2 hypertension
Correct Answer: Stage 2 hypertension
Rationale: A systolic reading of 145 mm/Hg falls within the Stage 1 range (140-159/90-99). However, the
patient is 65 years old, and the clinical context indicates that a blood pressure greater than 130/80
mm/Hg is considered hypertensive. Given the 145/92 reading, this is Stage 2 hypertension.
7. Which of the following is the most common disease state worldwide?
A) Diabetes mellitus
B) Hypertension
C) Hyperlipidemia
D) Coronary artery disease
Correct Answer: Hypertension
Rationale: Hypertension is considered the most common disease state worldwide. It affects a significant
portion of the global population and is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke, and kidney
disease.
8. Essential hypertension is best defined as:
A) High blood pressure caused by kidney disease
Learning | Q & A | 2026 Edition
1. Classify the following blood pressure reading: 155/95 mm/Hg.
A) Normotensive
B) Elevated blood pressure
C) Stage 1 hypertension
D) Stage 2 hypertension
Correct Answer: Stage 2 hypertension
Rationale: According to the classification of hypertension, Stage 2 hypertension is defined as a systolic
blood pressure of 160 mm/Hg or higher or a diastolic of 100 mm/Hg or higher. A reading of 155/95
mm/Hg falls into the Stage 2 category. Stage 1 is 140-159/90-99, elevated is 120-129/<80, and
normotensive is <120/<80.
2. A patient's blood pressure is 125/75 mm/Hg. This reading is classified as:
A) Normotensive
B) Elevated blood pressure
C) Stage 1 hypertension
D) Stage 2 hypertension
Correct Answer: Elevated blood pressure
Rationale: Elevated blood pressure is defined as a systolic reading of 120-129 mm/Hg with a diastolic
less than 80 mm/Hg. A reading of 125/75 mm/Hg falls within this category. Normotensive is below
120/80, Stage 1 is 130-139/80-89, and Stage 2 is 140/90 or higher.
3. Which of the following statements about hypertension is TRUE?
A) Hypertension is a disease state known to have many symptoms
B) Hypertension is often asymptomatic
,C) Hypertension always presents with severe headaches
D) Hypertension is rarely diagnosed in older adults
Correct Answer: Hypertension is often asymptomatic
Rationale: Hypertension is often an asymptomatic disease and is considered the most common disease
state worldwide. Because it frequently presents without symptoms, it is sometimes called the "silent
killer." The statement that hypertension has many symptoms is false.
4. A patient's blood pressure is 135/85 mm/Hg. This reading is classified as:
A) Normotensive
B) Elevated blood pressure
C) Stage 1 hypertension
D) Stage 2 hypertension
Correct Answer: Stage 1 hypertension
Rationale: Stage 1 hypertension is defined as a systolic reading of 130-139 mm/Hg or a diastolic of 80-89
mm/Hg. A reading of 135/85 mm/Hg falls into Stage 1 hypertension.
5. Which blood pressure reading would warrant the consideration of drug therapy in a 75-year-old man
with diabetes and a 10-year cardiac risk of 30%?
A) 120/80 mm/Hg
B) 125/80 mm/Hg
C) 130/85 mm/Hg
D) 150/90 mm/Hg
Correct Answer: 130/85 mm/Hg
, Rationale: For patients with diabetes and elevated cardiac risk, drug therapy should be considered for
any blood pressure reading greater than 130/80 mm/Hg. A reading of 130/85 mm/Hg exceeds this
threshold and would warrant consideration of pharmacological intervention.
6. A 65-year-old patient without comorbidities has a blood pressure of 145/92 mm/Hg. This reading
would be considered:
A) Normotensive
B) Elevated blood pressure
C) Stage 1 hypertension
D) Stage 2 hypertension
Correct Answer: Stage 2 hypertension
Rationale: A systolic reading of 145 mm/Hg falls within the Stage 1 range (140-159/90-99). However, the
patient is 65 years old, and the clinical context indicates that a blood pressure greater than 130/80
mm/Hg is considered hypertensive. Given the 145/92 reading, this is Stage 2 hypertension.
7. Which of the following is the most common disease state worldwide?
A) Diabetes mellitus
B) Hypertension
C) Hyperlipidemia
D) Coronary artery disease
Correct Answer: Hypertension
Rationale: Hypertension is considered the most common disease state worldwide. It affects a significant
portion of the global population and is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke, and kidney
disease.
8. Essential hypertension is best defined as:
A) High blood pressure caused by kidney disease
