Final answer:
The blood pressure readings of 158/92 mm Hg and 146/94 mm Hg for the 42-year-old man falls into the range of Stage 2 Hypertension, which is above the threshold of 140/90 mm Hg and needs medical intervention.
Step-by-step explanation:
The blood pressure readings given for the 42-year-old man are both systolic readings above 140 mm Hg and diastolic readings above 90 mm Hg. According to the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association, a normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg, and prehypertension is indicated by a systolic pressure between 120-129 and a diastolic pressure less than 80 mm Hg. A blood pressure reading of 130/80 mm Hg and above should be treated as hypertension.
Therefore, with readings of 158/92 mm Hg and 146/94 mm Hg, it is evident that these values surpass the threshold for hypertension. According to the information provided, chronically elevated blood pressure is known clinically as hypertension and is defined as persistent blood pressure measurements of 140/90 mm Hg or above. Consequently, the examiner would interpret the findings as Stage 2 Hypertension, which requires medical attention and lifestyle modifications to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other complications.
An answer choice such as hypertensive crisis or Stage 3 Hypertension does not exist under current guidelines, while Stage 1 Hypertension would be between 130/80 mm Hg and 139/89 mm Hg. Hence, 'Stage 2 Hypertension' is the correct interpretation of the findings given the two elevated readings.