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Nursing QUESTION #9263
Question 1
A 5-year-old child has blood pressure of 104/68 mmHg. According to the fourth Report on Blood Pressure in Children, this finding is BEST interpreted as:
  • Normal blood pressure for age✔️
  • Stage 1 hypertension
  • Prehypertension
  • Stage 2 hypertension
Correct Answer Explanation

Pediatric Blood Pressure Classification (AAP 2017 / Fourth Report):

BP is age, sex, and height percentile-dependent in children. Standard thresholds for children aged 1–13 years:

CategorySystolic/Diastolic
Normal<90th percentile
Elevated (Prehypertension)90th–<95th percentile OR ≥120/80 mmHg
Stage 1 HTN95th–<99th + 12 mmHg percentile
Stage 2 HTN≥99th percentile + 12 mmHg

For a 5-year-old child, average normal BP is approximately \(95{-}108/55{-}68\,\text{mmHg}\). A BP of 104/68 mmHg falls within the normal range for this age group.

Normal BP estimates for children:

  • Systolic (1–10 yrs): \(90 + (2 \times \text{age in years})\,\text{mmHg}\)
  • For 5-year-old: \(90 + (2 \times 5) = 100\,\text{mmHg}\) systolic (approximate normal)
  • Diastolic: approximately \(\frac{2}{3}\) of systolic

This child's BP is normal. Important: always measure with appropriate-sized cuff (cuff bladder should cover ≥80% of arm circumference).