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Hypertensive emergency — ABEM Board MCQ

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HardCardiovascular emergenciesHypertensive emergencyABEM Board

A 61-year-old man arrives as ESI 2 with headache, confusion, and blurred vision. BP 238/128, creatinine is 2.5 mg/dL, urinalysis shows proteinuria, and fundoscopy shows papilledema. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

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

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Correct answer: E — Hypertensive emergency

Severe hypertension with encephalopathy, papilledema, and renal injury is hypertensive emergency.

Reference: AHA scientific statement on acute severe hypertension; ACEP asymptomatic hypertension policy contrast