FNP certification cheat sheet
Hypertension and diabetes: the numbers sheet
Diagnostic cutoffs and first-line drug rules for two of the most tested primary-care topics.
Reviewed by a licensed nurse · 22 October 2026
Blood pressure categories (ACC/AHA 2017)
| Category | Systolic | Diastolic |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | < 120 | and < 80 |
| Elevated | 120 to 129 | and < 80 |
| Stage 1 | 130 to 139 | or 80 to 89 |
| Stage 2 | 140 or higher | or 90 or higher |
Diabetes cutoffs
| Test | Prediabetes | Diabetes |
|---|---|---|
| A1c | 5.7 to 6.4% | 6.5% or higher |
| Fasting glucose | 100 to 125 | 126 or higher (mg/dL) |
| 2-hour OGTT | 140 to 199 | 200 or higher (mg/dL) |
Rules to remember
- ·Never combine an ACE inhibitor with an ARB.
- ·ACE inhibitors and ARBs are contraindicated in pregnancy.
- ·Diabetes or CKD with albuminuria: ACE inhibitor or ARB.
- ·Metformin: not started below an eGFR of 45, contraindicated below 30.
- ·Heart failure or CKD with diabetes: SGLT2 inhibitor for organ benefit.
- ·Yearly: eye exam, foot exam, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio and eGFR.
Educational content for exam preparation. It is not clinical guidance and does not replace your facility's policies, current professional guidelines or the advice of a qualified clinician.
boardreadynurse.com · ACC/AHA guidelines · ADA Standards of Care