What code should be assigned when a patient has an elevated blood pressure reading without a diagnosis of hypertension?

The appropriate code to assign for an elevated blood pressure reading without a diagnosis of hypertension is R03.0. This code specifically refers to "Elevated blood pressure without a diagnosis of hypertension," which accurately captures the clinical scenario where blood pressure is elevated, yet does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of hypertension.

In the context of coding, it is essential to differentiate between elevated blood pressure readings that may not necessarily indicate a chronic condition versus those that are part of an established diagnosis like hypertension. By using R03.0, the coding reflects the transient nature of elevated blood pressure in this situation, ensuring appropriate documentation and risk stratification for the patient without labeling them as hypertensive.

Codes that classify diagnosed conditions, such as I10 (essential (primary) hypertension), I11 (hypertensive heart disease), and I12 (hypertensive heart AND chronic kidney disease), are not applicable when there is no diagnosis of hypertension confirmed. Thus, R03.0 is indeed the most suitable code to match the situation presented.