A patient in the emergency room presents with an irregular heartbeat and a blood pressure of 160/92 mmHg. Which of the following best describes the patient's condition?

A patient in the emergency room presents with an irregular heartbeat and a blood pressure of 160/92 mmHg. Which of the following best describes the patient's condition?

• A. Hypotension
• B. Arrhythmia
• C. Hypertension
• D. Bradycardia

Answer: (C)

The patient's condition is best described as hypertension. In this context, the term hypertension refers to consistently elevated blood pressure, which is indicated by the reading of 160/92 mmHg. This value is above the normal range and suggests that the patient is experiencing high blood pressure, which can put additional strain on the heart and blood vessels. While the patient also has an irregular heartbeat, the defining feature in this scenario is the blood pressure measurement. Hypertension can often coexist with arrhythmias, but the presence of high blood pressure is a critical factor that directly impacts the patient's overall cardiovascular health. Therefore, identifying the condition as hypertension accurately reflects the main clinical concern at this moment. The other terms—hypotension, arrhythmia, and bradycardia—do not suitably encompass the key presentation of this patient's elevated blood pressure, making hypertension the most appropriate description of the patient's condition.

The patient's condition is best described as hypertension. In this context, the term hypertension refers to consistently elevated blood pressure, which is indicated by the reading of 160/92 mmHg. This value is above the normal range and suggests that the patient is experiencing high blood pressure, which can put additional strain on the heart and blood vessels.

While the patient also has an irregular heartbeat, the defining feature in this scenario is the blood pressure measurement. Hypertension can often coexist with arrhythmias, but the presence of high blood pressure is a critical factor that directly impacts the patient's overall cardiovascular health. Therefore, identifying the condition as hypertension accurately reflects the main clinical concern at this moment.

The other terms—hypotension, arrhythmia, and bradycardia—do not suitably encompass the key presentation of this patient's elevated blood pressure, making hypertension the most appropriate description of the patient's condition.