Which practice best avoids misclassifying a transient activity‑induced blood pressure elevation as sustained hypertension in the clinic?

• A. Only take a single immediate reading upon arrival and diagnose hypertension if that reading is elevated because short clinic encounters are sufficient to establish chronic blood pressure levels.
• B. Require the patient to exercise immediately before measurement to determine their peak blood pressure and average that with the seated reading to find the true resting value.
• C. Perform three readings in rapid succession with no rest and use the highest value as the diagnostic measure because the maximum value most accurately reflects cardiovascular risk.
• D. Measure blood pressure after the patient has rested quietly seated for at least 5 minutes, and repeat measurements on separate days or use home/ambulatory monitoring before diagnosing hypertension.

Answer: (D)