Encounter for exam of blood pressure w abnormal findings

This code signifies a patient encounter where a blood pressure measurement was taken, and the reading was outside the normal range for the patient's age and clinical status. It indicates that further investigation or management of the abnormal blood pressure is warranted, even if a definitive diagnosis of hypertension or hypotension has not yet been established.

Use this code when a patient presents for a routine check-up, screening, or other non-specific visit, and an elevated or low blood pressure reading is identified. It is appropriate for initial encounters where abnormal blood pressure is noted but not yet fully diagnosed or when monitoring a patient with previously undiagnosed abnormal blood pressure.

• Do not use this code if a definitive diagnosis of hypertension (e.g., I10) or hypotension (e.g., I95.9) is already established and being treated.
• Always code the specific abnormal blood pressure reading (e.g., R03.0 for elevated, R03.1 for low) in addition to this code, if available.
• This code is often used as a secondary diagnosis when the primary reason for the encounter is something else, but abnormal blood pressure was an incidental finding.