Which of the following best describes a patient's condition if they have an elevated heart rate greater than 90 bpm?

An elevated heart rate greater than 90 beats per minute is best described as tachycardia. Tachycardia refers specifically to a condition where the heart is beating faster than the normal resting rate, which typically ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute in adults. This elevated rate can occur for various physiological reasons, such as stress, fever, dehydration, or underlying medical conditions. Understanding tachycardia is crucial in assessing a patient's cardiovascular health and determining appropriate interventions or treatments.

In contrast, hypotension refers to low blood pressure, bradycardia is defined as a slower than normal heart rate (usually less than 60 bpm), and having a normal heart rate would imply rates within the standard range. Therefore, when a patient exhibits a heart rate higher than 90 bpm, tachycardia is the most accurate term to describe this condition.