A nurse is reviewing diagnostic tests for hypertension with a client. Which test directly measures blood pressure levels for 24 hours?

A) Correct answer. Proteinuria (presence of protein in urine) and edema (swelling) are common signs of kidney damage (nephrosclerosis) resulting from long-standing uncontrolled hypertension.

B) This option is incorrect. Weight loss and increased appetite are not typical manifestations of target organ damage in hypertension.

C) This option is incorrect. Improved exercise tolerance is not associated with target organ damage in hypertension.

D) This option is incorrect. Reduced urine output is not typically associated with target organ damage in hypertension. However, reduced urine output may occur in acute hypertensive emergencies, such as hypertensive nephropathy.

A) This option is incorrect. While measuring blood pressure can provide insight into the severity of hypertension-related complications, it is not the primary purpose of blood pressure measurement in hypertension diagnosis.

B) This option is incorrect. While hypertension is a significant risk factor for other cardiovascular diseases, blood pressure measurements are not primarily used to confirm the presence of those diseases.

C) This option is incorrect. Monitoring blood pressure is indeed important to assess the effectiveness of lifestyle modifications and medication in managing hypertension. However, it is not the primary purpose of blood pressure measurement in the initial diagnosis of hypertension.

D) Correct answer. Blood pressure measurement is essential in diagnosing and classifying hypertension accurately. It helps healthcare professionals determine if a person's blood pressure is within the normal range or meets the criteria for hypertension diagnosis.