A nurse is providing care to a 2-year-old who has a strong family history of hypertension. At the clinic visit, the child's caregiver asks when it would be appropriate to monitor blood pressure. Which of the following statements made by the nurse is accurate?
Explanation & Rationale
A. "Your child should have their blood pressure checked every time they are seen for a health care visit.": Children with a strong family history of hypertension are considered at increased risk, so regular monitoring at each health care visit allows for early detection and intervention if elevated blood pressure develops. B. "Your child should have blood pressure screening annually, starting at 3 years of age.": Standard guidelines recommend routine annual screening starting at 3 years for children without risk factors, but those with a family history of hypertension require more frequent monitoring. C. "Your child should have blood pressure screenings every 6 months, starting at 2 years of age.": While increased frequency may be considered in some high-risk children, standard recommendations prioritize checking at each visit rather than a fixed 6-month schedule. D. "Your child will not have blood pressure screening until they are in high school.": Delaying screening until adolescence would miss opportunities for early identification and management of elevated blood pressure, particularly in children at risk due to family history.