Which item is NOT listed as a MUST HAVE criterion for Acute Mountain Sickness?

Which item is NOT listed as a MUST HAVE criterion for Acute Mountain Sickness?

• A. Recent gain in altitude
• B. Several hours at altitude
• C. Headache
• D. Elevated blood pressure

Answer: (D)

Acute Mountain Sickness is diagnosed when someone has recently ascended to altitude and develops headache plus at least one other symptom such as nausea/vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, or sleep disturbance. The important points are the recent altitude gain and the combination of headache with additional symptoms within hours to a day of ascent. Elevated blood pressure isn’t part of the diagnostic criteria for AMS; blood pressure changes aren’t specific to this condition and don’t define it. So the item that isn’t listed as a must-have criterion is elevated blood pressure.

Acute Mountain Sickness is diagnosed when someone has recently ascended to altitude and develops headache plus at least one other symptom such as nausea/vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, or sleep disturbance. The important points are the recent altitude gain and the combination of headache with additional symptoms within hours to a day of ascent. Elevated blood pressure isn’t part of the diagnostic criteria for AMS; blood pressure changes aren’t specific to this condition and don’t define it. So the item that isn’t listed as a must-have criterion is elevated blood pressure.