Which blood pressure reading is within the normal adult range?

• A. 120/80
• B. 140/90
• C. 90/60
• D. 118/78

Answer: (D)

Normal adult blood pressure is typically about systolic under 120 mm Hg and diastolic under 80 mm Hg. The reading 118/78 fits this range well, with a systolic of 118 and a diastolic of 78, both below the upper limits. The other numbers don’t sit as clearly in the normal zone: 140/90 shows high blood pressure (hypertension); 90/60 is on the low side for many adults; and 120/80 is at the upper edge of normal and can be considered borderline. So 118/78 is the reading that clearly lies within the normal adult range.