Which statement best describes malignant hypertension?

Which statement best describes malignant hypertension?

• A. BP >140/90.
• B. BP >180/120 with risk of end-organ damage.
• C. BP fluctuates.
• D. No risk of organ damage.

Answer: (B)

Malignant hypertension is a hypertensive emergency characterized by very high blood pressure accompanied by signs or risk of acute end-organ damage. The defining feature isn’t just the numbers alone, but the combination of extreme BP and evidence that organs such as the brain, kidneys, or eyes may be damaged or are at immediate risk. Among the statements, the one that best matches this is the description of a blood pressure exceeding 180/120 with risk of end-organ damage. This reflects both the extreme BP level and the danger to organs that marks a malignant hypertensive episode. The other options miss this critical combination: a lower threshold describes general hypertension, not a crisis; fluctuating BP doesn’t define malignant hypertension; and saying there’s no risk of organ damage is incorrect.

Malignant hypertension is a hypertensive emergency characterized by very high blood pressure accompanied by signs or risk of acute end-organ damage. The defining feature isn’t just the numbers alone, but the combination of extreme BP and evidence that organs such as the brain, kidneys, or eyes may be damaged or are at immediate risk.

Among the statements, the one that best matches this is the description of a blood pressure exceeding 180/120 with risk of end-organ damage. This reflects both the extreme BP level and the danger to organs that marks a malignant hypertensive episode. The other options miss this critical combination: a lower threshold describes general hypertension, not a crisis; fluctuating BP doesn’t define malignant hypertension; and saying there’s no risk of organ damage is incorrect.