The mother of an 8-year-old girl has brought her daughter to the health clinic for her annual check-up.She is concerned about the high blood pressure in her family and asks the nurse if there is some way to know if the child is at risk for hypertension.What is the nurse's best response?

A) "Blood pressure elevation in childhood is the single best predictor of adult hypertension."
B) "Well let's take her blood pressure and see if it's up. If it is, she has hypertension."
C) "She looks pretty plump to me, and that indicates good health. As long as she's eating, she should be OK."
D) "If you think that she's gaining weight, put her on an exercise program, but wait until she's in her teens."

Blood pressure elevation in childhood is the single best predictor of adult hypertension.This recognition has reinforced the significance of making blood pressure measurement a part of every annual assessment of the child.Measure on at least three separate occasions with the appropriate-size cuff and in a relaxed situation before concluding that the child's blood pressure is elevated and needs further medical attention.Childhood obesity is a prominent health problem,which increases the child's risk for hypertension,diabetes,coronary artery disease,and other chronic health problems.Daily exercise and maintaining normal body weight are important as both interventions and prevention even while in the preteen years.