What are the normal ranges for systolic and diastolic blood pressure?

What are the normal ranges for systolic and diastolic blood pressure?

• A. 100-139 systolic; 60-89 diastolic
• B. 90-120 systolic; 60-80 diastolic
• C. 120-140 systolic; 80-90 diastolic
• D. 140-160 systolic; 90-100 diastolic

Answer: (A)

Understanding normal blood pressure means reading both numbers together. The systolic number is the pressure when the heart beats, and the diastolic number is the pressure when the heart rests between beats. In many CNA training references, a normal range is roughly 100–139 for systolic and 60–89 for diastolic. Readings within this band are not considered high enough to be hypertension or low enough to be hypotension, so this option best fits the typical normal range used in practice. Values below 100/60 could indicate low blood pressure, while readings at or above 140/90 suggest hypertension and need further assessment. The other choices include values outside this normal window, which is why they’re not the standard normal range.

Understanding normal blood pressure means reading both numbers together. The systolic number is the pressure when the heart beats, and the diastolic number is the pressure when the heart rests between beats. In many CNA training references, a normal range is roughly 100–139 for systolic and 60–89 for diastolic. Readings within this band are not considered high enough to be hypertension or low enough to be hypotension, so this option best fits the typical normal range used in practice. Values below 100/60 could indicate low blood pressure, while readings at or above 140/90 suggest hypertension and need further assessment. The other choices include values outside this normal window, which is why they’re not the standard normal range.