For the prenatal client, which of the following blood pressure changes from baseline would be most significant for the nurse to report as indicative of PIH?

Prenatal clients are routinely monitored for early signs of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH).

For the prenatal client, which of the following blood pressure changes from baseline would be most significant for the nurse to report as indicative of PIH?
A . 136/88 to 144/93
B . 132/78 to 124/76
C . 114/70 to 140/88
D . 140/90 to 148/98

View Answer

Answer: C

Explanation:

(A) These blood pressure changes reflect only an 8 mm Hg systolic and a 5 mm Hg diastolic increase, which is insufficient for blood pressure changes indicating PIH.

(B) These blood pressure changes reflect a decrease in systolic pressure of 8 mm Hg and diastolic pressure of 2 mm Hg; these values are not indicative of blood pressure increases reflecting PIH.

(C) The definition of PIH is an increase in systolic blood pressure of 30 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure of 15 mm Hg. These blood pressures reflect a change of 26 mm Hg systolically and 18mm Hg diastolically.

(D) These blood pressures reflect a change of only 8 mm Hg systolically and 8 mm Hg diastolically, which is insufficient for blood pressure changes indicating PIH.