Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) Practice Test

A hypertensive emergency is characterized by a severe elevation in blood pressure, specifically exceeding 180/120 mmHg, accompanied by signs of acute end organ dysfunction. This can include conditions such as acute kidney injury, heart failure, aortic dissection, or cerebral hemorrhage. The presence of end organ dysfunction is critical in differentiating a hypertensive emergency from a hypertensive urgency, which may have similar blood pressure readings but lacks immediate life-threatening complications.

Having a high blood pressure reading alone, such as above 180/120 without accompanying symptoms or end organ damage, does not constitute an emergency. Sudden spikes in blood pressure can occur but do not inherently imply a hypertensive emergency unless there is associated organ dysfunction. Chronic management of high blood pressure relates to long-term treatment strategies but does not define the acute nature of a hypertensive emergency. Hence, the correct definition emphasizes both the elevated blood pressure and the presence of acute end organ damage.