According to the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines for hypertension, the categories based on blood pressure readings are as follows:
- Normal: Systolic < 120 mm Hg and Diastolic < 80 mm Hg
- Elevated: Systolic 120-129 mm Hg and Diastolic < 80 mm Hg
- Stage 1 hypertension: Systolic 130-139 mm Hg or Diastolic 80-89 mm Hg
- Stage 2 hypertension: Systolic ≥ 140 mm Hg or Diastolic ≥ 90 mm Hg
Given the patient's blood pressure readings of 142/92 mm Hg and 140/94 mm Hg, both readings indicate a systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher and a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher.
Therefore, the appropriate category for this patient would be Stage 2 hypertension.
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