A nurse is assessing a client's blood pressure. The reading is 140/90 mmHg. What does the systolic pressure indicate?

A. The difference between systolic and diastolic pressures is called the pulse pressure. It does not describe the systolic pressure itself. Pulse pressure is calculated by subtracting the diastolic pressure from the systolic pressure (e.g., 140 − 90 = 50 mmHg), but this is not the definition of systolic pressure. B. This describes diastolic pressure, not systolic pressure. Diastolic pressure represents the lowest pressure in the arteries, occurring when the ventricles relax and fill with blood between heartbeats. C. Blood pressure readings (systolic and diastolic) refer to arterial pressure, not venous pressure. Venous pressure is measured differently, typically via central venous pressure monitoring, and is not part of routine blood pressure assessment. D. Systolic pressure reflects the maximum arterial pressure generated when the ventricles contract during systole, forcing blood into the aorta and systemic circulation. In this reading of 140/90 mmHg, the 140 mmHg represents the systolic pressure. Elevated systolic pressure can indicate hypertension, increased cardiac workload, or arterial stiffness and is a critical measurement in cardiovascular assessment.