Which of the following can be classified as white coat syndrome?

White coat syndrome, also referred to as white coat hypertension, is a phenomenon where a patient exhibits increased blood pressure in a clinical setting due to anxiety or stress associated with being in the presence of healthcare professionals. In this case, the correct answer highlights the condition of an individual experiencing an elevated heart rate driven by anxiety specifically in a medical environment.

This reaction is a common psychological response where the individual anticipates a medical procedure or evaluation, leading to heightened feelings of nervousness or stress, which can manifest as increased heart rate and possibly elevated blood pressure readings. Understanding this phenomenon is essential for healthcare providers, as it indicates that patients may experience temporary spikes in vital signs during visits, which may not accurately reflect their typical health status.

Other options such as low blood pressure during exercise or normal blood pressure while at home do not relate to the anxiety of being in a healthcare setting and thus do not exemplify white coat syndrome. Similarly, blood pressure measured during sleep usually shows a different physiological context and is not influenced by anxiety. This underscores the importance of recognizing the situational factors that can lead to variations in a patient's vital signs in different environments.