A patient has three separate blood pressure (BP) readings of 120/100, 138/92 mm Hg, and 126/96 mm Hg. Which category describes this pattern of BP?

Choice A reason: Normal BP is below 120/80 mm Hg. These readings, with diastolic consistently above 90 mm Hg, indicate hypertension, not normal BP, so this is incorrect. Choice B reason: Isolated systolic hypertension involves systolic BP &ge;130 mm Hg with diastolic <80 mm Hg. High diastolic readings rule this out, so this is incorrect for the pattern. Choice C reason: BP readings above 130/80 mm Hg, especially with diastolic &ge;90 mm Hg, classify as hypertension (Stage 2). This matches the patient’s pattern, making it the correct category. Choice D reason: Prehypertension is 120–129/<80 mm Hg. These readings exceed this with high diastolic values, indicating hypertension, so this is incorrect for the BP pattern.