If blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg, what is the mean arterial pressure (MAP)?

Prepare for the NCLEX exam effectively with our NCLEX Uworld Practice Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions with detailed hints and explanations to ensure you're ready for success!

Multiple Choice

If blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg, what is the mean arterial pressure (MAP)?

Explanation:
Mean arterial pressure represents the average pressure in the arteries during a heartbeat and is estimated by weighting diastolic pressure more, since the heart spends more time in diastole. Use MAP ≈ DBP + 1/3(SBP − DBP). For 120/80, the pulse pressure is 40, and one-third of that is about 13.3. Add to the diastolic pressure: 80 + 13.3 ≈ 93 mmHg. The exact equivalent formula is (SBP + 2×DBP)/3, which also gives about 93. Values like 101, 86, or 72 don’t align with this calculation.

Mean arterial pressure represents the average pressure in the arteries during a heartbeat and is estimated by weighting diastolic pressure more, since the heart spends more time in diastole. Use MAP ≈ DBP + 1/3(SBP − DBP). For 120/80, the pulse pressure is 40, and one-third of that is about 13.3. Add to the diastolic pressure: 80 + 13.3 ≈ 93 mmHg. The exact equivalent formula is (SBP + 2×DBP)/3, which also gives about 93. Values like 101, 86, or 72 don’t align with this calculation.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy