North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) Practice Exam

What defines essential hypertension in pregnant women?

1. High blood pressure readings during labor

2. Initial readings of 140/90 or more before pregnancy

3. Blood pressure spikes during delivery

4. Low blood pressure readings

The correct answer is: Initial readings of 140/90 or more before pregnancy

Essential hypertension in pregnant women is defined by initial blood pressure readings that are 140/90 mmHg or higher before pregnancy. This benchmark is critical because it establishes a baseline for diagnosing the condition. High blood pressure that is present prior to conception indicates that the woman has chronic hypertension, which can impact her pregnancy and may lead to complications for both the mother and the fetus. Understanding this definition is important in the context of prenatal care, as it allows healthcare providers to monitor and manage the condition effectively throughout pregnancy. In contrast, high blood pressure readings during labor or spikes occurring during delivery do not indicate essential hypertension but may reflect other issues such as gestational hypertension or an acute physiological response to stress. Low blood pressure readings, on the other hand, do not pertain to the classification of hypertension at all, further reinforcing the significance of accurate baseline measurements before pregnancy.