Question

A 72-year-old woman with long-standing hypertension presents with severe headache, confusion, and vomiting. BP is 220/120 mmHg, and fundoscopy reveals bilateral papilloedema. CT head shows no haemorrhage. There is no focal neurological deficit. What is the most appropriate immediate blood pressure management strategy?

Accepted Answer

Lower mean arterial pressure by no more than 25% in the first hour using IV antihypertensives

Answer

Rapidly reduce BP to normal within 30 minutes using sublingual nifedipine

Answer

Avoid treating BP acutely; arrange outpatient follow-up

Answer

Start high-dose oral ACE inhibitor and recheck BP in 4 hours

Answer

Administer IV thrombolysis followed by BP lowering

Practice question