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Medical Emergencies · single question

An 18-year-old with no medical history, BP 180/100, and tooth pain. What do you do?

  1. Refer to the emergency room immediately
  2. Cancel and refer to physician
  3. Prescribe pain medication and treat
  4. Wait 5 minutes and re-check blood pressure
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. Prescribe pain medication and treat

  • A. Incorrect. Treating without addressing BP 180/100 (Stage 2 hypertension) risks a hypertensive emergency, especially with epinephrine-containing LA.
  • B. Incorrect. At 180/100 without symptoms (headache, visual changes, chest pain), immediate ER is not required. ER threshold is typically >180/120 (hypertensive crisis).
  • C. Correct. A young patient with no hypertension history and BP 180/100 may have white coat hypertension or pain-induced elevation. Wait 5 minutes, calm the patient, re-check. If still elevated, reassess before proceeding.
  • D. Incorrect. Canceling without re-checking is premature for a first elevated reading in an anxious painful patient.

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