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Infection Control · single question

Blood pressure of 130/100 mmHg in a patient presenting for dental treatment. What is the MOST appropriate next step?

  1. Call 911 for hypertensive emergency
  2. Defer all treatment and immediately refer to physician
  3. Treat and evaluate (the reading requires monitoring but is not a contraindication to routine dental care)
  4. Only perform emergency treatment
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. Treat and evaluate (the reading requires monitoring but is not a contraindication to routine dental care)

  • A. Hypertensive emergency (crisis) requires BP >180/120 with end-organ damage — not present here.
  • B. Deferral is not required at 130/100 — this level is managed with stress reduction and monitoring.
  • C. Correct. A BP of 130/100 reflects elevated diastolic pressure (Stage 1–2 hypertension depending on systolic). ADA/AHA guidelines suggest: BP <160/100 = proceed with treatment + monitor; BP 160–180/100–109 = stress reduction protocol, treat, refer for medical evaluation; BP >180/110 = defer non-emergency treatment. At 130/100, dental treatment can proceed with appropriate stress reduction and monitoring.
  • D. Restriction to emergency-only treatment applies to more severely elevated BP (>160/100 threshold in some guidelines).

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