skip to main content

Intracerebral Haemorrhage BP — RACP Adult Medicine MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

ModerateCardiologyIntracerebral Haemorrhage BPRACP Adult Medicine

A 50-year-old man with known hypertension presents with sudden onset severe headache and GCS 13. CT brain shows a 30 mL intracerebral haemorrhage in the right basal ganglia. His BP is 210/120 mmHg. According to current stroke guidelines, what is the target systolic BP?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: E — <140 mmHg within 1 hour

The INTERACT2 and ATACH-2 trials inform BP targets in acute ICH. Current guidelines recommend rapid lowering to SBP <140 mmHg within 1 hour (using IV labetalol or nicardipine infusion), provided initial SBP is 150–220 mmHg and there are no contraindications. More aggressive lowering (<120 mmHg) may cause harm (ATACH-2). BP control reduces haematoma expansion and improves functional outcomes.

Reference: Stroke Foundation – 2024 – Clinical Guidelines for Stroke Management