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Hypertensive urgency symptoms — GPhC CRA MCQ

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ModerateCardiovascular TherapeuticsHypertensive urgency symptomsGPhC CRA

A patient collecting antihypertensives says their home BP is 205/120 mmHg with severe headache and blurred vision. They ask for advice before seeing the GP next week. What is the most appropriate action?

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

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Correct answer: A — Refer for same-day urgent medical assessment

Severely raised blood pressure with symptoms suggestive of end-organ involvement requires urgent assessment. It is not appropriate to manage this through routine medicine advice alone. In this scenario, the correct option is refer for same-day urgent medical assessment. The other options are plausible but do not address the key clinical, legal or safety issue as directly. This aligns with UK pharmacy practice guidance cited in the reference field.

Reference: NICE CKS