For elevated and low-risk stage I hypertension, which management step is recommended during dental care?

• A. Check blood pressure at every appointment
• B. Increase epinephrine dosage for pain control
• C. Avoid stress reduction techniques
• D. Do not use oxygen or nitrous oxide

Answer: (A)

When caring for patients with elevated blood pressure or low‑risk stage I hypertension, you want a clear picture of their current cardiovascular status at each visit. The essential step during dental care is to measure blood pressure at every appointment. This regular monitoring gives real-time information about how well the patient’s hypertension is controlled and whether it’s safe to proceed with treatment, perform procedures that might raise blood pressure, or need to defer elective care until there’s medical advice. It also sets the stage for timely referrals if readings are consistently high or trending upward, helping prevent complications during dental work.

Increasing the epinephrine dose for pain control would raise blood pressure and increase cardiovascular risk, which is inappropriate in this context. Avoiding stress-reduction techniques ignores beneficial strategies that help keep blood pressure stable during visits, and avoiding oxygen or nitrous oxide isn’t necessary when used judiciously with appropriate monitoring—these can aid comfort and reduce anxiety rather than create harm.