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Hypertensive urgency — ABFM Board MCQ

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ModerateCardiovascularHypertensive urgencyABFM Board

A 61-year-old woman with chronic hypertension has a clinic blood pressure of 184/104 mm Hg repeated twice. She missed her lisinopril for 1 week. She has no chest pain, dyspnea, neurologic deficits, visual symptoms, or kidney injury. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step?

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

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Correct answer: C — Restart and adjust oral antihypertensive therapy with close follow-up

Severe asymptomatic hypertension is usually managed with oral medication adjustment and timely follow-up rather than rapid intravenous reduction.

Reference: American Family Physician clinical reviews and AAFP guidance: https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp.html