To determine which blood pressure reading is considered to be in the "elevated" stage according to the stages of hypertension, we need to review the definitions of the different stages:
1. Normal Blood Pressure (BP): Systolic < 120 mm Hg and Diastolic < 80 mm Hg
2. Elevated BP: Systolic 120-129 mm Hg and Diastolic < 80 mm Hg
3. Hypertension Stage 1: Systolic 130-139 mm Hg or Diastolic 80-89 mm Hg
4. Hypertension Stage 2: Systolic ≥ 140 mm Hg or Diastolic ≥ 90 mm Hg
Let's analyze each of the given blood pressure readings to identify which one falls into the "elevated" category:
1. Reading 116/74 mm Hg:
- Systolic: 116 mm Hg (which is < 120)
- Diastolic: 74 mm Hg (which is < 80)
- This reading fits under the "Normal" category.
2. Reading 128/78 mm Hg:
- Systolic: 128 mm Hg (which falls within 120-129)
- Diastolic: 78 mm Hg (which is < 80)
- This reading fits the criteria for the "Elevated" category.
3. Reading 182/124 mm Hg:
- Systolic: 182 mm Hg (which is ≥ 140)
- Diastolic: 124 mm Hg (which is ≥ 90)
- This reading fits under "Hypertension Stage 2".
4. Reading 140/90 mm Hg:
- Systolic: 140 mm Hg (which is ≥ 140)
- Diastolic: 90 mm Hg (which is ≥ 90)
- This reading also fits under "Hypertension Stage 2".
From this analysis, we can conclude that the blood pressure reading 128/78 mm Hg is classified as "elevated". This is the reading that matches the criteria for the elevated stage of hypertension.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
128/78 mm Hg
