An older person has a blood pressure of 150/90. Which health screening should be recommended?

An older person has a blood pressure of 150/90. Which health screening should be recommended?

• A. Depression
• B. Diabetes
• C. Cognitive function
• D. Arthritis

Answer: (B)

Elevated blood pressure in an older adult highlights a higher cardiovascular risk, and screening for diabetes is a priority because diabetes often goes undetected and markedly increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and eye problems. Detecting diabetes early in someone with hypertension allows timely lifestyle changes and treatment to reduce these complications, making it the most impactful screening here. Screening for diabetes is done with a fasting plasma glucose test, an HbA1c, or an oral glucose tolerance test, and results typically need to be confirmed on a separate day if abnormal. While depression screening, cognitive function screening, and arthritis assessment remain important in geriatrics, the presence of elevated blood pressure specifically anchors the need for diabetes screening to address the overlap in vascular risk and overall metabolic health.

Elevated blood pressure in an older adult highlights a higher cardiovascular risk, and screening for diabetes is a priority because diabetes often goes undetected and markedly increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and eye problems. Detecting diabetes early in someone with hypertension allows timely lifestyle changes and treatment to reduce these complications, making it the most impactful screening here.

Screening for diabetes is done with a fasting plasma glucose test, an HbA1c, or an oral glucose tolerance test, and results typically need to be confirmed on a separate day if abnormal. While depression screening, cognitive function screening, and arthritis assessment remain important in geriatrics, the presence of elevated blood pressure specifically anchors the need for diabetes screening to address the overlap in vascular risk and overall metabolic health.